Hottest Octobers in Iowa since 1895

In July 2026, the continental United States experienced its hottest month on record since 1895, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The Earth’s temperature has climbed each decade since 1880 by about .14 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit total.

Stacker compiled a ranking of the hottest Octobers in Iowa since 1895 using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. Rankings are based on the highest average temperature in each month. For each of the hottest months listed below, we've included the average state temperature, state-wide highs and lows for the month, and the total precipitation.

#10. October 1971 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 67.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 45.2°F
- Total precipitation: 3.61"

#10. October 1940 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.9°F
- Total precipitation: 2.32"

#10. October 1920 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 69.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 43.9°F
- Total precipitation: 2.11"

#9. October 1924
- Average temperature: 56.6°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 43.1°F
- Total precipitation: 0.82"

#7. October 2024 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 41.8°F
- Total precipitation: 1.77"

#7. October 1953 (tie)
- Average temperature: 56.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.3°F
- Monthly low temperature: 42.1°F
- Total precipitation: 0.48"

#6. October 2025
- Average temperature: 56.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 67.9°F
- Monthly low temperature: 45.9°F
- Total precipitation: 1.93"

#5. October 1956
- Average temperature: 57.7°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.7°F
- Monthly low temperature: 43.8°F
- Total precipitation: 1.4"

#4. October 1938
- Average temperature: 58.2°F
- Monthly high temperature: 72.1°F
- Monthly low temperature: 44.2°F
- Total precipitation: 0.85"

#3. October 1900
- Average temperature: 58.4°F
- Monthly high temperature: 70.2°F
- Monthly low temperature: 46.5°F
- Total precipitation: 3.97"

#2. October 1947
- Average temperature: 59.9°F
- Monthly high temperature: 71.5°F
- Monthly low temperature: 48.4°F
- Total precipitation: 3.74"

#1. October 1963
- Average temperature: 61.5°F
- Monthly high temperature: 74.8°F
- Monthly low temperature: 48.2°F
- Total precipitation: 1.08"

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