The Hottest (and Coldest) Memorial Days in Iowa History

Memorial Weekend is upon us! Whether you're grilling, relaxing, or putting flowers on a grave to honor those who died serving, you likely expect decent weather in Iowa in late May.

And we should have nice weather! We deserve it after winter.

This year will actually be on the cooler side of things. While not cold, way off the average...

While it won't be as warm as the average, and won't be anywhere near a record for cold this year, it got me wondering, what are the records for Memorial Day?

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Iowa's Memorial Day Weather Records

We have so much control as humans over things like technology. We can travel great distances in a relatively short amount of time.

But we cannot control the weather.

Let's look at a couple of record hot and record cool temps for Memorial Day in Eastern Iowa.

HOT and COLD!

Back on May 28, 2018, we experienced a scorching high of 94°F, marking it as one of the hottest Memorial Days in the region.
Conversely, on May 30, 1945, we... enjoyed? A record a chilly low of 38°F, showcasing the variability of late May weather in Eastern Iowa.

As far as rainouts go, well...

We saw significant rainfall on May 29, 1984, with a total of 1.85 inches, making it one of the wettest Memorial Days on record for the area. You certainly didn't smell many grills that year.

Weather Patterns for Memorial Day

Memorial Day weather in Eastern Iowa has historically been one word: unpredictable. With temps and conditions ranging from unseasonably hot to unexpected cold snaps and heavy rainfall.

This variability certainly stresses the importance of checking the forecast when planning outdoor activities for the holiday.

For 2025, you should be fine. It won't be cold, but certainly won't be a scorcher either.

Enjoy your long, moderately cool weekend!

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