Northeast Iowa was hit by the second blizzard of the winter on February 20th and 21st as an area of low pressure tracked from southern Kansas to Lake Superior. This storm system produced 6 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow that was then blown around by winds gusting as high as 50 mph. The blowing snow created by the winds, caused whiteout conditions, produced severe drifting that closed numerous roads, knocked out the power to thousands of customers from downed power lines and blew down tree branches. Almost all the schools across northeast Iowa were either closed or utilized a delayed start both ahead of the storm on the 20th and after the storm on the 21st. The highest reported snowfall amount was 7.8 inches in St. Ansgar (Mitchell County) and the highest recorded wind speed during the blizzard was 56 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Charles City airport (Floyd County).

Blizzard in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 20-FEB-14 19:25:00 to 21-FEB-14 03:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph produced a period of blizzard conditions across Chickasaw County. Whiteout conditions occurred during the blizzard and the blowing snow caused severe drifting to occur that closed several roads. Power outages occurred as the heavy, wet snow and the high winds combined to bring down power lines and tree branches. Most of the schools in the county were either closed or delayed the start of classes on both the 20th and 21st. The highest reported snowfall amount was 6 inches in North Washington and the highest recorded wind speed was 50 mph from the mesonet weather observing equipment near Ionia.

Blizzard in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 20-FEB-14 19:25:00 to 21-FEB-14 04:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph produced a period of blizzard conditions across Mitchell County. Whiteout conditions occurred during the blizzard and the blowing snow caused severe drifting to occur that closed several roads. Power outages occurred as the heavy, wet snow and the high winds combined to bring down power lines and tree branches. Most of the schools in the county were either closed or delayed the start of classes on both the 20th and 21st. The highest reported snowfall amount was 7.8 inches in St. Ansgar.

Blizzard in HOWARD, IOWA
From 20-FEB-14 19:45:00 to 21-FEB-14 03:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph produced a period of blizzard conditions across Howard County. Whiteout conditions occurred during the blizzard and the blowing snow caused severe drifting to occur that closed several roads. Power outages occurred as the heavy, wet snow and the high winds combined to bring down power lines and tree branches. Most of the schools in the county were either closed or delayed the start of classes on both the 20th and 21st. The highest reported snowfall amount was 6.5 inches near Chester.

Blizzard in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 20-FEB-14 21:35:00 to 21-FEB-14 04:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph produced a period of blizzard conditions across mainly the southwest half of Fayette County. Whiteout conditions occurred during the blizzard and the blowing snow caused severe drifting to occur that closed some roads. Power outages occurred as the heavy, wet snow and the high winds combined to bring down power lines and tree branches. All the schools in the county were either closed or delayed the start of classes on both the 20th and 21st. The highest recorded wind speed was 55 mph from the automated weather observing equipment at the Oelwein airport.

Blizzard in FLOYD, IOWA
From 20-FEB-14 17:15:00 to 21-FEB-14 03:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Northwest winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph produced a period of blizzard conditions across Floyd County. Whiteout conditions occurred during the blizzard and the blowing snow caused severe drifting to occur that closed several roads. Power outages occurred as the heavy, wet snow and the high winds combined to bring down power lines and tree branches. Most of the schools in the county were either closed or delayed the start of classes on both the 20th and 21st. The highest reported snowfall amount was 6 inches near Nora Springs and the highest recorded wind speed was 56 mph from the automated weather observing equipment at the Charles City airport.