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 MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 30-JAN-21 13:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer 2 miles north of Muscatine reported 3.8 inches of snow along with a glaze of ice.

Winter Storm in CEDAR, IOWA
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 3.5 inches from a trained spotter in Clearance to 4.6 inches in Lowden from the COOP observer. A trained spotter in Durant reported 0.5 inches of freezing rain under the snow.

Winter Storm in SCOTT, IOWA
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: Official NWS Observations

The official NWS observation at the Davenport Municipal Airport was 4.1 inches. An off duty NWS Employee reported 4.0 inches in Park View. An NWS Employee on the west side of Bettendorf to 0.2 inches of freezing rain and 3.3 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in CLINTON, IOWA
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 2.8 inches in Clinton by the COOP observer to a public report of 3.0 inches in Charlotte.  The COOP observer also reported sleet and freezing rain.

Winter Storm in DELAWARE, IOWA
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 of snow were received.

Winter Storm in BENTON, IOWA
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 5 to 7 inches of snow were received, along with around 0.1 inch of ice accumulation.

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

The COOP observer in Sigourney reported 2.5 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 30-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer 2 miles north of Burlington reported 2.5 inches.

Winter Weather in HENRY, IOWA
From 30-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports ranged from 0.5 inches of snow 1 mile south of Salem by a COOP observer to 1.1 inches by a trained spotter 2 miles north northwest of Oakland Mills.

Winter Weather in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 30-JAN-21 12:00:00 to 31-JAN-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The COOP observer in Fairfield reported 1.0 inches of snow and sleet.

Winter Storm in IOWA, IOWA
From 30-JAN-21 15:30:00 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 6.5 inches of snow were recieved, along with around 0.1 inch of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm in LINN, IOWA
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 5 to 8 inches of snow were received, along with around 0.1 inch of ice accumulation.

Winter Storm in DUBUQUE, IOWA
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 6 inches of snow were received.

Winter Storm in BUCHANAN, IOWA
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 of snow were received.

Winter Storm in LINN, IOWA
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 4 to 6 inches of snow were received, along with around 0.1 inch of ice accumulation.

Winter Weather in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 30-JAN-21 13:00:00 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 2.5 inches 4 miles east of Wellman to 3.0 inches from West Chester (public) and Washington COOP observer.

Winter Storm in JACKSON, IOWA
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 4 to 6 inches of snow were received, along with around 0.1 inch of ice accumulation.

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

The COOP observer in Columbus Junction reported 2.0 inches of snow.

Winter Weather in JOHNSON, IOWA
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

COOP observer reports ranged from 2.0  inches on the southwest side of Iowa City to 4.3 inches in Swisher.  There a trained spotter report of 6.5 inches 1 mile north northeast of Oakdale.