Blizzard in Iowa, January 17 to 18, 1999

Low pressure became organized as it moved northeast of Iowa during the late night of the 17th and early morning of the 18th. By sunrise on the 18th, the low had intensified to a 990 mb low pressure over central Wisconsin. Iowa remained in relatively warm Pacific air through most of the storms life, however late on the night of the 17th, the low tapped colder air to the north and a band of snow developed in the strengthening gradient. The wrap around snow only amounted to an inch or two, but this snow was whipped by very strong winds. Winds over all of the state were in the 30 to 40 MPH range with occasional gusts to between 50 and 55 MPH. The combination of the strong winds and new snowfall caused blizzard conditions to develop over north central Iowa. Visibility was reduced to near zero for about 6 hours in this area. Southwest of it, visibility was frequently below one half mile, and occasionally to near zero. Interstate 35 was closed due to icing and zero visibility from U.S. Highway 20 north to the Minnesota border. It wasn't until noon that the D.O.T. reopened the Interstate. Numerous multi-car accidents were reported with both U.S. Highways 65 and 20 blocked by cars in Hardin County. Accidents were numerous across a large part of the north two thirds of Iowa and the State D.O.T. recommended no travel into these areas. South of the blizzard area winds were not quite as strong, but did blow at 25 to 35 MPH with occasional gusts over 40 MPH. Due to low visibilities and drifting of snow, numerous school districts over the north half of Iowa were closed Monday morning.