Blizzard in Iowa, January 28 to 29, 1996

Name: Blizzard in Iowa, January 28 to 29, 1996
Start: 1996-01-28T20:00
End: 1996-01-29T08:00
Location: Iowa

January 28 to 29, 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: $50,000
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 Arctic cold front dropped southeast across Iowa during the late afternoon and evening hours. At the same time, low pressure intensified to the northeast of Iowa producing a strong pressure gradient. Some light snow fell with the passage of the cold front, but amounts wee under one quarter inch. The main problem was the high winds in the Arctic air. Winds of 30 to 45 MPH were common with occasional gusts over 50 MPH. The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Johnston for example recorded a wind gust of 53 MPH. The entire state was under a blanket of deep snow, most of which was loose. The winds picked up the snow resulting in blizzard conditions. Temperatures fell to the single digits with visibility down to 50 feet at times and wind chill values below -50 degrees F. Roads became very dangerous within a short period of time and most of the county roads and highways drifted shut. By morning, the situation had become bad enuogh that many school districts and some businesses across the state were closed for the day.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

58 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Emmet

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Emmet forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.378, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Kossuth

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Kossuth forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.204, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Winnebago

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Winnebago forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.378, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Worth

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Worth forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.377, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Mitchell

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Mitchell forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.356, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Howard

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Howard forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.357, -92.317 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Winneshiek

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Winneshiek forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.291, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Allamakee

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Allamakee forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.284, -91.378 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Palo Alto

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Palo Alto forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.082, -94.678 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Hancock

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Hancock forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.734 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Cerro Gordo

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Cerro Gordo forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.082, -93.261 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Floyd

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Floyd forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.060, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Chickasaw

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Chickasaw forecast zone
Coordinates: 43.060, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Pocahontas

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Pocahontas forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.734, -94.679 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Humboldt

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Humboldt forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.777, -94.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Wright

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.735 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Franklin

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Franklin forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.733, -93.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Butler

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Butler forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.732, -92.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Bremer

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Bremer forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.775, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Fayette

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.863, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Sac

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Sac forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.386, -95.105 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Calhoun

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Calhoun forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.385, -94.640 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Webster

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.428, -94.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Hamilton

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Hardin

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Hardin forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.384, -93.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Grundy

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Grundy forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.402, -92.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Black Hawk

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Black Hawk forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.470, -92.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Crawford

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.037, -95.382 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Carroll

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Carroll forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.861 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Greene

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -94.397 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Boone

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Boone forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.037, -93.932 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Story

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Story forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -93.465 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Marshall

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.036, -92.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Tama

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Tama forecast zone
Coordinates: 42.080, -92.532 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Audubon

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Audubon forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.906 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Guthrie

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Guthrie forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.684, -94.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Dallas

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Dallas forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.685, -94.040 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Polk

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Jasper

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.686, -93.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Poweshiek

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Poweshiek forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.686, -92.531 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Cass

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Cass forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.332, -94.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Adair

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Adair forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.471 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Madison

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.331, -94.016 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Warren

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Warren forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Marion

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Marion forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.334, -93.099 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Mahaska

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Mahaska forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.335, -92.641 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Adams

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.029, -94.699 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Union

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.028, -94.242 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Clarke

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Clarke forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.785 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Lucas

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Lucas forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.029, -93.328 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Monroe

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Monroe forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.030, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Wapello

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Wapello forecast zone
Coordinates: 41.031, -92.409 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Taylor

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Taylor forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.737, -94.696 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Ringgold

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Ringgold forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.735, -94.244 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Decatur

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.738, -93.786 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Wayne

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Wayne forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.740, -93.327 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Appanoose

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Appanoose forecast zone
Coordinates: 40.743, -92.869 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Davis

When: January 28, 8:00 PM CST to January 29, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Davis forecast zone
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 40.748, -92.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

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, January 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: 5542170, 5542171, 5542172, 5542173, 5542174, 5542175, 5542176, 5542177, 5542178, 5542179, 5542180, 5542181, 5542182, 5542183, 5542184, 5542185, 5542186, 5542187, 5542188, 5542189, 5542190, 5542191, 5542192, 5542193, 5542194, 5542195, 5542196, 5542197, 5542198, 5542199, 5542200, 5542201, 5542202, 5542203, 5542204, 5542205, 5542206, 5542207, 5542208, 5542209, and more.