Heavy Snow in Iowa, February 15, 1996

A strong but compact upper level system swept southeast across Iowa. The system looked more like a mesoscale system on both satellite and the WSR-88D imagery. A small comma pattern moved southeast with a variety of weather associated with it. To the northeast of the comma center, heavy snow fall in the deformation zone. A 30 to 40 mile wide band of heavy snow was left behind from near Fort Dodge southeast through the Ottumwa area. Amounts were around 6 inches along this band. The heaviest snowfall total was in Ames with a total of 8 inches from the storm. Snow tapered off rapidly on either side of the band. Snow fell at the rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour during the height of the storm. The fastest snowfall rate was at Ames, where 3 inches fell in a 30 minute period. Southwest of the comma head, a squall line developed. Though amounts were lighter, thunder was reported with the snow along with wind gusts to around 50 MPH. Accidents were numerous around the state. Tempeatures at the snows inception were around the freezing point and snow froze to the road surfaces. Interstate 80 was blocked by accidents in several places. Interstate 35 as blocked north of Des Moines by accidents as well. Another factor with the system was the gusty north winds following the passage of the Arctic front. Winds of 20 to 35 MPH were common with occasional gusts of 45 to 50 MPH. Blowing snow reduced visibility to near zero at times.