A widespread snow event took place during the 1st and 2nd of February.  An Arctic airmass was in place over Iowa during the last few days of January while low pressure formed over the southern Rockies.  The surface low did not become very well organized until the late afternoon of the 2nd, however there was a pronounced upper level trough traversing the central U.S.  A large area of isentropic lift produced a broad area of snow over the central U.S.  The northward transport of warm air was very evident between 800 and 850 mb, where soundings indicated a layer of above freezing air already by the evening of the 1st.  This event was a long and drawn out event with the first snow beginning before sunrise on the 1st.  It snowed for 18 to 24 hours in most places before the snow reached warning criteria.  The snow continued through much of the day on the 2nd, however accumulation rates were low.  The evidence of the warm air was apparent during the evening of the 1st as sleet and some freezing drizzle was reported over about the southeast half of Iowa.  There were even reports of thunder received from Marshall County.  The sleet and freezing drizzle did not become a major problem, but did continue off and on for several hours from the mid afternoon through the evening of the 1st.  Snow was falling quite heavily during the evening of the 1st until a strong dry punch moved over the state.  This stopped the snow over the southeast half of the state and help to produce a narrow deformation band of snow running from near Omaha to near Mason City.  Snow was persistent in this area with snowfall totals in the 8 to 11 inch range common.  Some of the heavier totals included nearly 13 inches at Britt in Hancock County, and 11 inches in Fort Dodge in Webster County.  There were several reports in the 9 to 10 inch range as well.

Heavy Snow in GREENE, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HUMBOLDT, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CARROLL, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HARDIN, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CASS, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in POCAHONTAS, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in KOSSUTH, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WORTH, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in BOONE, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CRAWFORD, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CALHOUN, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in WRIGHT, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in HANCOCK, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy Snow in SAC, IOWA
From 02-FEB-04 04:00:00 to 02-FEB-04 17:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.