A blizzard struck portions of eastern Iowa and western Illinois on December 11-12, 2010. A strong upper level disturbance and powerful jet stream began diving out of the northern Rockies. Low pressure then formed across the northern Plains and tracked into western Iowa. This cyclone then intensified considerably as it pushed into northern Illinois. Even though snowfall was generally only in the 1 to 4 inch range, strong winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph generated blizzard conditions in some locations.  The worst blizzard conditions were observed west of Interstate 380/Highway 218 in eastern Iowa, and also in portions of western Illinois. Roads were impassable and drifts several feet high which stranded some motorists. The strong winds also toppled a tree onto a house in Marion, Iowa and flipped a metal shed off its cement foundation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Blizzard in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 11-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported visibility less than a quarter mile in snow and blowing snow at 0833 CST.

Winter Weather in HENDERSON, ILLINOIS
From 12-DEC-10 00:30:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 11-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 12-DEC-10 01:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement reported moderate snow falling with high winds and zero visibility all across the county at 0855 CST. Roads were impassable in many areas with mutiple vehicles stranded with occupants inside.  They were all rescued.

Winter Weather in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 11-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in HANCOCK, ILLINOIS
From 12-DEC-10 00:15:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 11-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in WARREN, ILLINOIS
From 12-DEC-10 02:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 11-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
From 11-DEC-10 22:40:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in MCDONOUGH, ILLINOIS
From 12-DEC-10 03:15:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 11-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in PUTNAM, ILLINOIS
From 12-DEC-10 05:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter