Cold in Iowa, February 1 to 2, 1996

Name: Cold in Iowa, February 1 to 2, 1996
Start: 1996-02-01T16:00
End: 1996-02-02T11:00
Location: Iowa

February 1 to 2, 1996 · NWS DMX · 58 events in 58 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 58 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 58

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DMX wrote it up.

A strong reinforcing Arctic cold ront dropped south across Iowa during the late afternoon hours of the 1st. With it came north winds of 15 to 20 MPH along with temperatures between -15 and -30 degrees F. These conditions resulted in extremely low wind chill values. Most of the state fell below -50 degrees for several hours with the coldest wind chill values in the north central counties. Mason City recorded the coldest wind chill with a bone chilling -79 degrees. The extreme wind chills resulted in most schools in the state being closed. Even Iowa State University called off classes for the day. Numerous record low temperatures were set around the state on both the morning of the 3rd and 4th. Elkader reached -47 degrees to tie the all time record low for the state. A record low of -26 degrees in Des Moines on the 4th was the coldest temperature in the city since 29 January, 1912.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

58 cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Cold/Wind Chill, Emmet

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Emmet forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.378, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Kossuth

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Kossuth forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.204, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Winnebago

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.378, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Worth

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Worth forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.377, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Mitchell

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Mitchell forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.356, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Howard

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Howard forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.357, -92.317 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Winneshiek

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Winneshiek forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.291, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Allamakee

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Allamakee forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.284, -91.378 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Palo Alto

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Palo Alto forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.082, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Hancock

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Cerro Gordo

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Floyd

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Floyd forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.060, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Chickasaw

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Chickasaw forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.060, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Pocahontas

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Pocahontas forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.734, -94.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Humboldt

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Humboldt forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.777, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Wright

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Franklin

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Butler

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.732, -92.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Bremer

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Bremer forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.775, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Fayette

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.863, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Sac

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Sac forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.386, -95.105 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Calhoun

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.385, -94.640 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Webster

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.428, -94.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Hamilton

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Hardin

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Grundy

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.402, -92.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Black Hawk

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Black Hawk forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.470, -92.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Crawford

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.037, -95.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Carroll

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Carroll forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Greene

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.397 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Boone

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.037, -93.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Story

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Story forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -93.465 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Marshall

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -92.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Tama

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Tama forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Audubon

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Audubon forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.906 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Guthrie

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Guthrie forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.684, -94.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Dallas

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.040 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Polk

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Jasper

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Poweshiek

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Poweshiek forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.686, -92.531 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Cass

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.332, -94.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Adair

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Madison

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.016 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Warren

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Marion

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.099 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Mahaska

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Mahaska forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.335, -92.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Adams

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.029, -94.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Union

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.028, -94.242 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Clarke

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Clarke forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.785 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Lucas

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Lucas forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Monroe

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.030, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Wapello

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Wapello forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.031, -92.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Taylor

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.737, -94.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Ringgold

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Ringgold forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.735, -94.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Decatur

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.738, -93.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Wayne

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.740, -93.327 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Appanoose

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Appanoose forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.743, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cold/Wind Chill, Davis

When: February 1, 4:00 PM CST to February 2, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Davis forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.748, -92.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Cold/Wind Chill: Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 1996 Every state in 1996 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, February 1996

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5540277, 5540278, 5540279, 5540280, 5540281, 5540282, 5540283, 5540284, 5540285, 5540286, 5540287, 5540288, 5540289, 5540290, 5540291, 5540292, 5540293, 5540294, 5540295, 5540296, 5540297, 5540298, 5540299, 5540465, 5540466, 5540467, 5540468, 5540469, 5540470, 5540471, 5540472, 5540473, 5540474, 5540475, 5540476, 5540477, 5540478, 5540479, 5540480, 5540481, and more.