Winter Storm in Iowa, March 5, 1999

An intense storm system raced across Southern Iowa into the Great Lakes and brought several inches of wet, heavy snow to much of Eastern Iowa and Northwest Illinois. Precipitation developed over Northern Missouri and Southern Iowa by early afternoon, and quickly overspread Eastern Iowa and Northwest Illinois by mid to late afternoon. The precipitation began as rain with temperatures just above freezing, however, strong dynamical cooling from the vigorous upper storm system resulted in a rapid changeover to snow within minutes. Lightning and thunder accompanied the snow in a band from near Ottumwa through the Quad Cities to near Sterling-Rock Falls where snowfall totals ranged from 3 to 5 inches with isolated areas receiving 6 inches. Snowfall amounts were a lot less over Southern Iowa and West Central Illinois and were generally around 1 to 2 inches. Snowflakes the size of quarters and intense snowfall rates resulted in poor visibility and rapid accumulation on mainly grassy and elevated surfaces. Roads were reported as slushy with slick spots in many areas. Numerous traffic accidents were reported. One such accident in Davenport involved a school bus which skidded and collided with the rear end of another vehicle at the intersection of Hickory Grove Road and North Fairmount Street. Four children sustained minor injuries and were treated and released from a local hospital. Twenty minor traffic accidents were also reported within a two hour period in Clinton.