A strong storm system moved into the Midwest on the afternoon of January 30, 2021. Initially, precipitation began as rain as a layer of warm air was in place aloft. Over time, however, temperatures began to cool at the surface and aloft due to the falling rain, and precipitation changed to snow during the evening as a result. Some freezing rain was even measured as the transition occurred, and was most noticeable in the Cedar Rapids metro where photos showed accumulation on power lines.
Snow was widespread across the area during the morning of January 31, 2021, and all of eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois and far northeast Missouri saw some form of accumulating snow. Totals were highest in parts of east central Iowa and in north central Illinois, where locally heavy banding at times on the morning of January 31 produced higher snowfall rates. Overall, totals ranged from around 4 to 6 inches, with some locally higher amounts of 7 to 8 inches reported in Buchanan and Benton counties.

Winter Weather in HENRY, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports ranged from a public report of 1.5 inches in Galva to 2.1 inches by a trained spotter in Cambridge.

Winter Weather in ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 15:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The official NWS observation at the Moline-Quad Cities Airport was 3.3 inches. Other trained spotter snowfall reports ranged from 3.2 inches 1 mile southwest of Coal Valley to 3.8 inches 1 mile south southwest of Cordova.

Winter Weather in MERCER, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 14:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall reports ranged from 1.0 inches from the COOP observer in Aledo to a public estimate of 2.0 inches 2 miles east of Griffin.

Winter Storm in CARROLL, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 16:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several spotter reports of 3 to 6 inches, with some blowing and drifting were received. Some reports of up to 0.1 inch of ice was also reported.

Winter Weather in PUTNAM, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Hennepin reported 4.0 inches of snow and a glaze of ice.

Winter Storm in JO DAVIESS, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 17:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several spotter reports of 3 to 6 inches, with some blowing and drifting were received.

Winter Weather in BUREAU, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer near Princeton reported 3.2 inches of snow along with freezing drizzle.

Winter Storm in STEPHENSON, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 17:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several spotter reports of 4 to 7 inches, with some blowing and drifting were received.

Winter Storm in WHITESIDE, ILLINOIS
From 30-JAN-21 15:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several spotter reports of 3 to 5 inches, with some blowing and drifting were received. Some reports of up to 0.1 inch of ice was also reported.