An Arctic cold front dropped southeast across the state on the 28th and became stationary southeast of Iowa by the morning of the first.  Iowa was under a dome of Arctic air for one of the few times during this nearly record warm winter.  Southwest flow aloft prevailed over the area as low pressure developed over the southern Plains.  As the low intensified, strong southerly winds developed in the low levels pushing warmer and more moist air over the top of the dome of cold air that was in place over Iowa.  The actual track of the surface low was well to the south of Iowa.  Snow broke out during the late afternoon hours over west central Iowa and spread east during the overnight hours.  A band of heavy snow about 50 to 75 miles wide developed from west central into northeast Iowa.  Snowfall amounts in this band were in excess of 6 inches in most areas, however the highest totals were little more than 8 inches.  The snowfall was quite uniform with little in the way of any convective elements in the snow band.  Northerly winds increased during the second half of the storm.  This caused considerable drifting snow, however blowing snow was quite limited owing to the fact that there was no snow on the ground prior to the storm, and there was not even any snow in the ditches.  Drifting was a problem with reports of drifts of 5 to 10 feet high in places.  The storm did cause some disruption in travel and activities, however as winter storms go in the central Plains, the event was not a major event.

Heavy Snow in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HARDIN, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BREMER, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in STORY, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DALLAS, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BOONE, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BUTLER, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GREENE, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in TAMA, IOWA
From 01-MAR-02 17:00:00 to 02-MAR-02 14:00:00 (CST)
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.