Iowa’s corn crop and many other key commodities would be threatened by hot, dry conditions if certain weather patterns continue to develop. U-S-D-A meteorologist Brad Rippey says even though the El Nino pattern is still strong over the entire country right now, there are likely changes on the horizon.

“If you look at all of the moderate-to-strong El Ninos we’ve had over the last 75 years or so, they are almost always followed by a fairly quick transition to La Nina,” Rippey says. “It’s almost like there’s a boomerang effect.” We’re now experiencing the third “super El Nino” weather pattern since the early 1980s and if the pattern holds, a La Nina pattern could emerge soon and bring drought conditions.

“We’re pretty confident and even the two-dozen or so models that try to forecast the ocean and atmospheric states looking ahead to the summer,” he says, “we’ll be in either neutral or La Nina conditions by the latter part of 2016.” Rippey says the La Nina pattern in 1998 never reached Iowa or other Midwestern states but it had an impact on the southern tier of states, bringing very dry conditions that had a major impact on crops. Signs point to a repeat, according to Rippey.

“In 1983, we saw a very wet spring nearly coast-to-coast, but in July and August, as we quickly transitioned into La Nina, we saw a very hot, dry weather pattern develop across the Midwest,” he says. “It led to significant yield declines in crops, including corn.” It’s still too early to pinpoint exactly where the hot, dry conditions will land but he says farmers need to be aware.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

BOXHOLM, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified the mother and three children killed a house fire in the central Iowa town of Boxholm. Rick Lampe with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department says 27-year-old Amber Sorenson, 9-year-old Riley Sorenson, 6-year-old Autumn Sorenson and 4-year-old Brayden Sorenson all died in the fire. The fire was reported around 12:45 a.m. Sunday when the temperature was 6 degrees below zero Fahrenheit in the town of about 200.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa inmate serving a life sentence for a 1979 murder has died in prison at age 69 after battling skin cancer. The state Department of Corrections says Robert Lee Kern died Saturday at the Iowa State Penitentiary. Officials said Kern died of natural causes.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa authorities have identified the 41-year-old man who was wounded during a confrontation with police. The state Division of Criminal Investigation says Timothy Seefeldt is expected to recover from a gunshot wound in his upper body. The incident began after a large SUV was stolen from a Muscatine restaurant parking lot.

HOLLIS, New Hampshire (AP) — After months of predicting a comeback for their preferred candidates, Republican establishment leaders now concede the first two contests on the presidential election calendar are Donald Trump’s and Ted Cruz’s to lose. Many GOP traditionalists fear that each candidate would be a disaster in the November general election.

Members of the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board of Directors will meet Monday evening in the City Council’s Chambers at City Hall, beginning at 5:15.

On the agenda are updates on: the 2017 Budget proposal; the Kiddie Korral at SunnysidePark; Boat ramp project near the Schildberg Rec Area; The Bull Creek/Schuler Elementary School Trail; A Transportation Alternatives Program grant for Lake #2 at the Schildberg Rec Area; a Cass County Community Foundation grant request; Vision Iowa grant; and an update on On-line Shelter Reservations.

Old business will cover an update on the Nishna Valley Connector Trail. And, in his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring is expected to talk about the parking lot installation at the Dog Park in the Schildberg Rec Area, as well as remind the public Sunnyside Park remains open to sledding, disc golf and walking. The gates to the park remain closed to vehicle traffic, however.

Police in Council Bluffs arrested a Nebraska man Sunday after three botched, alleged burglary attempts. 22-year old Christopher Cozen, of Omaha, faces charges that include two counts of Burglary in the 3rd degree and one count of Attempted Burglary in the 2nd degree. Cozen was being held Sunday afternoon in the Pottawattamie County Jail.

His arrest followed an investigation that began at around 9:23-a.m. Sunday, when Bluffs Police were dispatched to 3515 5th Avenue, in reference a burglary in progress. The victim discovering a white male subject in his 1997 Ford F-150 that was parked in the driveway. When the resident confronted the suspect the suspect fled the area. It was discovered that the ignition to vehicle was damaged by the suspect who was apparently trying to steal the pickup.

At approximately 10:30-a.m., officers responded to 522 S.34th St., in reference to an attempted burglary to the residence. Officers responded and determined that a neighbor observed a white male suspect pry open the victim’s basement window. When the suspect noticed the witness he again fled the area.

Then, at approximately 10:38-a.m., officers were dispatched to 3312 11th Ave in reference to a burglary in progress to a 1990 Chevrolet pickup that was parked in the driveway of the residence. Officers responded to the scene and located the suspect (subsequently identified as Cozen), still inside the vehicle. The ignition to the vehicle was also damaged.

Officers were able to establish probable cause implicating Cozen in all three Burglaries.

(Updated) —

BOXHOLM, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have identified the mother and three children killed a house fire in the central Iowa town of Boxholm. Rick Lampe with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department says 27-year-old Amber Sorenson, 9-year-old Riley Sorenson, 6-year-old Autumn Sorenson and 4-year-old Brayden Sorenson all died in the fire. The fire in Boone County created challenges for firefighters because of frigid conditions.

The fire was reported around 12:45 a.m. Sunday when the temperature was 6 degrees below zero in the town of about 200. The victims’ bodies were recovered around 2:15 a.m.

Sheriff’s Officials in Guthrie County report an arrest has been made in connection with a recent break-in and burglary, in Bayard. Authorities say on Friday (January 15th) deputies arrested 23-year old Alicia M. Crawford, of rural Guthrie Center, on felony charges of Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft 2nd Degree. The charges follow a detailed investigation conducted by the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office after a break in at the Bayard Sparky’s on January 10th.

Alicia M. Crawford booking photo. (Guthrie Co. S/O photo)

A search warrant executed at Crawford’s residence, Friday, resulted in the recovery of currency and products from the Sparky’s store. The theft had been reported at around 12:15-a.m. on Jan. 10th, after it was observed glass had been broken one of the business’ doors. A safe inside the business had been accessed and money was missing. Also missing was several carton of cigarettes. The loss was estimated at $4,000.

Two more presidential hopefuls will be in southwest Iowa on Tuesday, Jan. 19th. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Republican candidate Carly Fiorina will host a meet and greet in Avoca. The event will run from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Embers Restaurant. It is open to the public. Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders will be in Underwood. He will speak at 3 p.m. at UMBA Hall. Doors open at 2 p.m.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a crash between two vehicles Saturday night in Union County that killed one of the drivers and injured the other. Officials say for reasons unknown, a 2001 Chevy Impala driven by 61-year old Donna Jo Spare, of Afton, crossed the center line of Highway 34 at around 9:10-p.m. Saturday, and collided head-on with a 1997 Buick LeSabre driven by 49-year old Deanne Lee Hoffman, of Creston. The accident happened about 2.5-miles east of Creston, near the intersection of Jaguar Avenue.

Following the collision, Spare was transported by ambulance to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, while Hoffman was transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, where she died from her injuries.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — For a second straight weekend, frigid temperatures will combine with winds to make for some dangerously low wind chills in Iowa and Nebraska. In northern Iowa, where a wind chill warning has been issued, residents could see wind chills as low as 35-below. Weather officials warn that wind chills that low can lead to frostbite within minutes for any exposed skin.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A Muscatine preschool shut down by a damaging water leak is hoping to reopen next week. The Muscatine Journal reports that Happy Time Preschool had been set resume classes on January 5th after closing for Christmas break. Preschool director Natalie Lothspeich now says classes will likely resume Tuesday.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa authorities are investigating after at least one law enforcement official shot a suspected car thief when police say the man rammed a marked law enforcement cruiser in Muscatine. An Iowa Department of Public Safety news release says the incident began Friday night after a large SUV was stolen from a Muscatine restaurant parking lot.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A northwestern Iowa woman accused of intentionally crashing the car she was driving into another vehicle has been charged with attempted murder and other counts. The Sioux City Journal reports that 28-year-old Melissa Ebert was charged Thursday with two counts each of attempted murder, willful injury and causing serious injury by vehicle. She’s also charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, second offense.

Three legislative coffees have been scheduled in Cass County for the 2016 session. The coffees will be held in February, March and April. Officials with PRIDE (Progressive Rural Iowa Development Enterprise), have announced the first coffee takes place 10 a.m. Saturday, February 6th, at the Cumberland Fire Station, 216 Main Street, Cumberland.

Marne is the second host Saturday, March 5th, 10 a.m. at the Community Center, 403 Washington, Street, Marne. The final coffee of this session will take place Saturday, April 2nd, 10 a.m. at the Lewis Community Library, 506 West Main Street, Lewis.

Clarke Gerlock, vice-president of PRIDE, said “The greatest thing about these coffees is our ability to talk with our elected leaders like they are our friends and neighbors, because they are. Cass County legislators have appreciated for years the tremendous turnout from citizens in our area.”

Gerlock says “This year, we welcome back Senators Tom Shipley and Jake Chapman, and Rep. Clel Baudler.” And, “We welcome new legislator, Rep. Tom Moore, who won the election to fill the open seat from the passing of Rep. Jack Drake in the fall of 2015.”

P.R.I.D.E. is the sponsoring the legislative coffees. The economic development organization that works on behalf of communities, businesses, and citizens for Southwest Iowa development. For additional information, contact Clarke Gerlock at 712-774-5476, or Kenner Baxter, president, at 781-2395.