An upper-level low tracked from northern Missouri during the early morning of 1/26, into central Illinois by evening.  Light snow began in far northeast Missouri and east central Iowa around 2 am, then spread eastward into western Illinois around sunrise.  The snow tapered to flurries during the early evening.  Snowfall accumulations ranging from two to four inches were common along and south of the U.S. Highway 34 corridor, with lesser amounts of one to two inches to the north.  Henderson County Illinois received amounts up to five inches.  As the system continued progressing to the east, a northwest wind increased during the late afternoon and evening, with gusts up to 30 miles an hour.  The strong wind produced considerable blowing and drifting snow, which created low visibilities in open and rural areas, and partially blocked roads.  Law enforcement officials reported at least eight deaths across eastern Iowa in weather-related traffic accidents Friday night and early Saturday morning.  Five of those fatalities occurred Friday evening in a two-vehicle accident in Washington County Iowa.  An Iowa State Trooper attributed the numerous accidents to rapidly changing road conditions and motorists traveling too fast for conditions.  Law enforcement also handled numerous minor accidents and vehicles in ditches during the period.  Many area schools were closed Friday, or dismissed early.  Hazardous driving conditions continued into the early morning hours of 1/27, before the winds relaxed.

Heavy Snow in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HENRY, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in IOWA, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in JACKSON, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in SCOTT, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in LINN, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in LOUISA, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in LEE, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BENTON, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CEDAR, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in JONES, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CLINTON, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 26-JAN-01 02:00:00 to 27-JAN-01 04:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.