The most intense storm of the month, in fact many months, wrapped up across the central Plains on April 13, spreading a mix of wintry precipitation across the area, accompanied by numerous thunderstorms. Not included in this episode was the spotty severe hail and wind which occurred in southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota prior to the onset of snowfall during the morning and afternoon of April 13.
Eventually, influx of colder air would change all precipitation over to snow, and ushered in a record-breaking snowfall of 8 to 16 inches (some locations over 20 inches) and fierce winds gusting 50 to 60 mph to southeast South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and extreme northeast Nebraska. Snow drifts over 6 feet were reported in many locations. Extremely low visibility persisted for almost a day for most locations, making travel very difficult if not impossible.
One person was killed in Rock County when the snowmobile he was riding collided with an interstate guard rail.

Blizzard in WOODBURY, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 06:00:00 to 14-APR-18 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 48 mph at Sioux City at 42 mph near Moville) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.7 inches was measured at Sioux City with 3.0 inches near Holly Springs.

Blizzard in BUENA VISTA, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 03:40:00 to 15-APR-18 14:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 54 mph at Storm Lake) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 10.1 inches was measured 4 miles east of Sioux Rapids with 5.0 inches at Storm Lake.

Blizzard in CHEROKEE, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 03:00:00 to 15-APR-18 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 52 mph at Cherokee) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 7.5 inches was measured at Washta with 7.0 inches at Cherokee.

Blizzard in DICKINSON, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 04:00:00 to 15-APR-18 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 43 mph at 4 miles west of Spirit Lake and 72 mph at Estherville) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 14.2 inches was amassed 4 miles northwest of Milford, 13.4 inches at Spirit Lake and 10.0 inches at Lake Park.

Blizzard in IDA, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 04:30:00 to 15-APR-18 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 43 mph at Ida Grove) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.0 inches was measured at Holstein with 3.2 inches 3 miles northeast of Battle Creek.

Blizzard in CLAY, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 03:30:00 to 15-APR-18 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 66 mph at Spencer) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 10.0 inches was amassed at Spencer, with 8.0 inches measured at 3 miles west northwest of Everly.

Blizzard in LYON, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 00:00:00 to 15-APR-18 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the early morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 60 mph at Sheldon) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.5 inches was measured at Rock Rapids.

Blizzard in O'BRIEN, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 03:30:00 to 15-APR-18 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 60 mph at Sheldon) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 8.3 inches was measured at Sanborn and 6.0 inches at Primghar.

Blizzard in PLYMOUTH, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 02:00:00 to 14-APR-18 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 58 mph at Le Mars) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.1 inches was measured at Le Mars with 4.5 inches at Remsen.

Blizzard in SIOUX, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 02:30:00 to 14-APR-18 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 53 mph at Orange City) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.4 inches was measured at Orange City with 4.0 inches at Rock Valley and Sioux Center.

Blizzard in OSCEOLA, IOWA
From 14-APR-18 03:30:00 to 15-APR-18 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 58 mph 2 miles northeast of Sibley) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 8.5 inches was measured at Sibley.