A powerful winter storm moved into the central Plains during the weekend of March 9-10th. The system initially brought warm weather and scattered showers and thunderstorms on the evening of the 8th into the morning of the 9th. As the main upper level storm system emerged on the Plains late on the 9th, a strong cold front moved from northwest to southeast across the area. Precipitation redeveloped behind this cold front associated with the upper level storm system, and quickly changed from light rain to light snow during the morning of the 10th. The snow, occasionally heavy, then continued through the day on the 10th and ended in the early morning hours on Monday March 11. Also associated with the system were strong northwest winds. Wind speeds of 30 to 40 mph were common during the day on Sunday March 10th leading to considerable blowing and drifting of the falling snow and reducing visibilities. This combination led to numerous traffic accidents, and for authorities to close Interstate 29 for a time north of Missouri Valley in Harrison and Monona Counties. Most schools were closed on Monday the 11th due to the poor travel conditions. Some of the higher snowfall totals ranged from 8.3 inches in Harlan, 9.2 inches in Mapleton, 10 inches in Earling, and 11.5 inches in Little Sioux. Generally snowfall amounts of 6 to 10 inches were common with the event.

Blizzard in MONONA, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Area automated surface observations from the late morning and afternoon on the 10th indicated that wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph were common. The combination of the strong north winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of the snow and very low visibilities for several hours. The poor conditions led authorities to close Interstate 29 throughout the county for several hours with numerous accidents reported.

Blizzard in HARRISON, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 11:00:00 to 10-MAR-13 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Area automated surface observations from the late morning and afternoon on the 10th indicated that wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph were common. The combination of the strong north winds and heavy falling snow resulted in considerable blowing and drifting of the snow and very low visibilities for several hours. The poor conditions led authorities to close Interstate 29 throughout the county for several hours with numerous accidents reported.

Winter Storm in POTTAWATTAMIE, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall ranged from near 10 inches in the northwest part of the county to just over 5 inches in the southern and eastern side of the county.

Winter Storm in HARRISON, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 03:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell across the entire county. Snowfall totals were generally over 10 inches.

Winter Weather in FREMONT, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 16:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall ranged from around 1 inch in the far southern part of the county to near 5 inches in the northwest part of the county. Shenandoah reported 3 inches of snow from the system. The combination of the snow and strong winds led to travel problems on Interstate 29 during the event with several accidents reported.

Winter Weather in MILLS, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 16:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall amounts across the county were generally 3 to 5 inches. The combination of the snow and strong winds led to travel difficulties and several reported accidents. Glenwood reported 5 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in MONONA, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 03:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow ranged from near 8 inches in the northwestern part of the county to near 10 inches in the south. Mapleton reported 9.2 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm in SHELBY, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 10:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 03:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow was widespread throughout the county. The COOP observer in Harlan reported 8.3 inches, but spotters in the northern part of the county reported 10 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in MONTGOMERY, IOWA
From 10-MAR-13 16:00:00 to 11-MAR-13 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall ranged from around 2 inches in the southeast part of the county to near 5 inches in the northwest. Nearby snowfall reports included 5 inches in Glenwood and 3 inches in Shenandoah.