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Local voices matter. Help us amplify them by contributing to your local newsroom. DECORAH — May 2025 delivered an early taste of summer in Decorah, continuing the region's trend of above-average temperatures, according to Richard Bernatz, local meteorologist and Luther College faculty member. The month's average temperature was 59.7 degrees, which is 0.7 degrees warmer than the historical average. It marked the 11th time in the past 12 months that Decorah has experienced above-normal temperatures. No new daily temperature records were set in May, but the month did bring some notably warm days, peaking at 88 degrees on May 15. The low for the month was 37 degrees, recorded on May 9. The warmer conditions led to a reduced need for heating, with heating degree days falling below average. However, cooling degree days remained modest, indicating only a mild increase in air conditioning needs. In contrast to the consistent warmth, precipitation in May shifted toward drier conditions. Total rainfall for the month measured 2.46 inches, which is 1.79 inches below the historical average. Rain was recorded on only eight days, fewer than the typical 11 to 12 days for May. The heaviest single-day rainfall occurred May 12, with 0.95 inch. As is typical, no snowfall was recorded during the month. Looking at broader trends over the past year, temperatures have remained consistently above average in 11 of the last 12 months. The precipitation pattern, however, has been more variable. May's dryness marks the seventh drier-than-average month out of the last 12. While precipitation totals over the past three months show a slight increase above average, and the six-month trend is near normal, the 12-month total reflects a slight deficit in overall rainfall. Never a dull moment! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and stay one step ahead with local news and information you just can't get anywhere else.

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May 2025 Continues Region's Above-Average Temperature Trend