A quick moving storm brought light snow and strong winds with near-blizzard conditions to western Iowa on Feb. 14th and 15th.   As low pressure aloft dropped southeast across eastern Nebraska early on the 14th, light to moderate snow developed over the region.  As the system moved southeast of the area, northwest winds increased to 30 to 45 mph.  The combination caused periods of white-out conditions, even though storm snow amounts were generally under 2 inches.  During the height of the storm there were several multi-car pileups which caused road closures, including one on Interstate 29 which closed it north of Missouri Valley from the afternoon of the 14th into the morning of the 15th.  After a brief break in the snow during the early evening of the 14th another disturbance rotated down along the Missouri River late in the evening on the 14th bringing more light snow as the strong winds continued.  Additional snowfall from this disturbance was generally under 1 inch.  However, the strong winds continued to cause significant drifting snow keeping some roads closed into the 15th.

Winter Weather in HARRISON, IOWA
From 14-FEB-10 10:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  The slick conditions and poor visibilities caused several accidents on Interstate 29 causing its closure near Missouri Valley and also prompted several schools to close on the 15th.

Winter Weather in SHELBY, IOWA
From 14-FEB-10 10:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in POTTAWATTAMIE, IOWA
From 14-FEB-10 10:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.

Winter Weather in MONONA, IOWA
From 14-FEB-10 10:00:00 to 15-FEB-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Newspaper

Snow, mostly light, combined with northwest winds which increased to 25 to 35 mph. The strong winds and snow caused widespread blowing and drifting snow and poor visibilities beginning on 2/14.  After a temporary break in the afternoon and early evening on the 14th, visibilities deteriorated again late in the evening into the morning of the 15th as light snow picked back up and the strong winds persisted.  The visibilities occasionally dropped below 1/4 mile for an hour or two during the late morning of the 14th.  Snowfall from the storm was only a couple of inches, but extensive snow cover already in place allowed the new snow to easily drift over roads and create the poor visibilities.  Interstate 29 was closed across the county during the afternoon of the 14th after a 45 to 50 car pileup which caused several injuries.  The Interstate remained closed into the morning hours of the 15th.