Des Moines, IA (KICD)– The month of December ended on a bit a different note than what is expected when it comes to climatology.

State Climatologist Justing Glisan says Spencer coming in nearly ten and half degrees above normal for average temperature is not all that unexpected considering there were a handful of days in the 50s with multiple new records set.

On the precipitation side, much of Northwest Iowa came in between one and two inches above normal, but the bigger story is the lack of snowfall considering we received nothing measurable in December compared to an average of almost ten inches.

When it is all compiled, Glisan says 2023 as a whole was considered to be both warm and dry.

Looking ahead, forecast outlooks are showing the possibility of getting into above normal moisture as we progress through the month, but it is worth noting that January is considered to be the driest month of the year in our area with average moisture only totaling around three-quarters of inch.