Winter Storm in Illinois, February 17 to 18, 2000

A major winter storm exiting the Southern Rockies moved through the Mississippi Valley and into the Great Lakes. Warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico became entrained into the storm system resulting in a variety of weather, ranging from heavy snow to freezing rain and rain. The precipitation initially was expected to begin thursday afternoon. However, the presence of dry air from a large canadian high pressure system, parked over the region for days prior, slowed the precipitation process and delayed the onset until thursday evening. Once the precipitation finally began, it remained very light and intermittent and did not increase in coverage or intensity until friday morning. The depth of the cold air was sufficient to result in widespread heavy snow along and north of Highway 34, where amounts ranged from 5 to 10 inches. The axis of heavier snow extended from the Quad Cities into portions of Northwest Illinois. Snowfall amounts were much less over extreme Southeast Iowa, West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri, where amounts ranged from a trace to as much as 2 inches. Much of the precipitation in these areas fell in the form of rain, freezing rain and sleet, which cut down on the snowfall amounts. Ice accumulations over Southeast Iowa, West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri were not significant, but did create slick and hazardous roads, and forced the cancellation of many schools on friday. Isolated power outages were also reported. Further north, the heavy snow was accompanied at times by thunder and lightning enhancing snowfall amounts. Heavy snow forced the cancellation of many schools, businesses and shopping malls. Flights were also cancelled at The Eastern Iowa Airport and Quad City International Airport. Numerous minor vehicle accidents or fender-benders were reported with very few injuries.