A high pressure system originating out of Canada settled into the region on April 10-12, 2012 providing clear skies, light winds and cold temperatures. The result was a hard freeze for three nights in a row as minimum temperatures plummeted into the 20s.  Most locations saw readings dip into the mid to upper 20s but a few spots reported temperatures in the lower 20s. Stanley, Iowa in Buchanan county was the coldest location with 21 degrees on April 11.  After a record warm March which caused vegetation growth to be at least 4 weeks earlier than normal, the cold weather damaged sensitive crops.  According to Radio Iowa, widespread frost and freezing temperatures for three nights in a row caused significant damage to crops including apples, grapes and strawberries.  At least 50 to 70 percent of these crops were lost especially where temperatures fell to 25 degrees or lower. However, it is unknown the amount of damage in dollar amount.

Frost/Freeze in BENTON, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 02:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The minimum temperature at Belle Plaine was 27 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 00:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The minimum temperature at Independence was 25 degrees.  A COOP observer at Stanley reported 24 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in CEDAR, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The minimum temperature at Lowden was 24 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in CLINTON, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The minimum temperature at Clinton was 25 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 01:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Frost/Freeze in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 01:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The minimum temperature at Dubuque was 26 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in HENRY, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 04:00:00 to 10-APR-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The minimum temperature at Mt. Pleasant was 32 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in IOWA, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer at Williamsburg had a minimum temperature of 25 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in JACKSON, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 02:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A COOP observer near Maquoketa reported a minimum temperature of 24 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The minimum temperature at Fairfield was 28 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The minimum temperature at Iowa City was 28 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in JONES, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 01:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The minimum temperature at Monticello was 25 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Frost/Freeze in LINN, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 02:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The minimum temperature at Cedar Rapids was 25 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in LOUISA, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 04:00:00 to 10-APR-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Frost/Freeze in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 04:00:00 to 10-APR-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The minimum temperature at Muscatine was 28 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in SCOTT, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The minimum temperature at the National Weather Service Forecast Office at the Davenport Municipal Airport dipped to 26 degrees.

Frost/Freeze in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 10-APR-12 03:00:00 to 10-APR-12 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The minimum temperature at Washington was 28 degrees.