A strong winter storm moved across the Upper Midwest on January 17th and 18th. The storm generally dropped 3 to 5 inches of snow across the area followed by a light coating of ice from freezing drizzle. Despite the snow becoming ice crusted, wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph broke up the ice and snow, producing blowing snow and blizzard conditions from the morning of the 18th through much of the afternoon. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter of a mile during the blizzard conditions with drifting snow impacting most roads. The highest recorded wind gust was 45 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Oelwein airport (Fayette County).

Winter Storm in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 17-JAN-20 12:00:00 to 18-JAN-20 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 3 to 4 inches of snow fell across Fayette County. A period of freezing drizzle created a coating of ice on top of the snow. Some blowing and drifting snow occurred during the morning and afternoon of the 18th with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The highest recorded wind gust was 45 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Oelwein airport.

Winter Storm in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 17-JAN-20 12:30:00 to 18-JAN-20 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 3 to 5 inches of snow fell across Clayton County. A period of freezing drizzle created a coating of ice on top of the snow. Some blowing and drifting snow occurred during the morning and afternoon of the 18th with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph.

Winter Storm in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 17-JAN-20 12:45:00 to 18-JAN-20 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 2 to 4 inches of snow fell across Winneshiek County. A period of freezing drizzle created a coating of ice on top of the snow. Some blowing and drifting snow occurred during the morning and afternoon of the 18th with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The highest recorded wind gust was 38 mph by a mesonet station near Frankville.

Blizzard in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 18-JAN-20 08:30:00 to 18-JAN-20 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Chickasaw County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Around 3 inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle. The highest recorded wind gust was 44 mph by a mesonet station near Ionia.

Blizzard in FLOYD, IOWA
From 18-JAN-20 08:30:00 to 18-JAN-20 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Floyd County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Three to four inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle.

Blizzard in HOWARD, IOWA
From 18-JAN-20 08:30:00 to 18-JAN-20 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Howard County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Around 3 inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle.

Blizzard in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 18-JAN-20 08:30:00 to 18-JAN-20 17:10:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Mitchell County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Around 4 inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle.