Heavy snow spread into Iowa as a sustained southerly flow of moist air took place over the central U.S.  Low pressure formed over the southwest U.S. and tracked northeast across north Texas into northern Indiana.  A closed upper level low pressure was associated with this storm and helped produce significant lift over the area.  A broad band of snow developed during the early morning hours of the 5th, with snow spreading over much of the area by around sunrise.  Southwest Iowa had already seen 1 to 3 inches by sunrise however.  As the dry progressed, bands of heavy snow developed in the warm conveyer ahead of the upper low.  Snowfall peaked during the mid to late afternoon hours with snowfall rates of 2 inches or more per hour reported at some locations.  Visibility was reduced to under 100 meters in many areas for a one to two hour period due to heavy snow.  The snow hit in Des Moines just before the rush hour.  With a snowfall rate of 2 inches per hour for two hours, this caused significant travel problems.  Elsewhere around the state, travel was hampered though it was not stopped.  The Iowa DOT recommended no travel over about the southwest third of the state.  Many activities were called off on the evening of t he 5th, with numerous school closings or delays on the morning of the 6th.  Fortunately, wind was not a major factor with this system.  Wind speeds were in the 10 to 20 MPH range.  This caused drifting of snow, but very little blowing snow.  The heaviest snow amount received came from Osceola in Clarke County with 10.2 inches.  Several areas reported 8 to 9 inches in a band extending from Guthrie Center, to the southwest part of the Des Moines Metropolitan area, south to Lamoni.

Heavy Snow in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in ADAMS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CLARKE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CASS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in SAC, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WARREN, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DALLAS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in LUCAS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DAVIS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in JASPER, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WAYNE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in POLK, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CRAWFORD, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MARION, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MONROE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GREENE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CARROLL, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in MADISON, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in DECATUR, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in ADAIR, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in UNION, IOWA
From 05-FEB-04 14:00:00 to 05-FEB-04 23:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.