Blizzard in Iowa, April 14 to 15, 2018

Name: Blizzard in Iowa, April 14 to 15, 2018
Start: 2018-04-14T00:00
End: 2018-04-15T19:15
Location: Iowa

April 14 to 15, 2018 · NWS FSD · 11 events in 11 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 11 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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 11

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 FSD wrote it up.

The most intense storm of the month, in fact many months, wrapped up across the central Plains on April 13, spreading a mix of wintry precipitation across the area, accompanied by numerous thunderstorms. Not included in this episode was the spotty severe hail and wind which occurred in southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota prior to the onset of snowfall during the morning and afternoon of April 13. |Eventually, influx of colder air would change all precipitation over to snow, and ushered in a record-breaking snowfall of 8 to 16 inches (some locations over 20 inches) and fierce winds gusting 50 to 60 mph to southeast South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, northwest Iowa and extreme northeast Nebraska. Snow drifts over 6 feet were reported in many locations. Extremely low visibility persisted for almost a day for most locations, making travel very difficult if not impossible.

One person was killed in Rock County when the snowmobile he was riding collided with an interstate guard rail.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Sioux Falls, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 13, 9:46 PM CST, 2 hours 14 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 13, 9:46 PM CST, 2 hours 14 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1046 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Saturday)
Issued at 316 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

...Significant Late Season Blizzard Expected Into Saturday...

Dynamic system wrapping up and producing widespread precipitation.
Scattered thunderstorms developed on the mid level front, around
750mb, and with enough instability a few severe thunderstorms
occurred. For the most part the instability on this front will
weaken through the evening. However, closer to the 850mb front,
additional scattered thunderstorm development will be likely this
evening in northwest Iowa and a few could produce severe hail,
possibly as large as half dollars. This cluster of thunderstorms
will then likely lift north and merge to produce a band of heavy
snow near Interstate 90 around midnight.

Farther northwest, to the west of the mid level front, the
atmosphere has cooled enough to support heavy snow. Huron to
Chamberlain to Gregory has seen heavy snow for a few hours today and
this cold air will gradually settle southeast through the evening.
The models are still indicating a small warm layer aloft from about
Interstate 90 east where sleet might end up being a bigger threat
than freezing rain. This window of warm air aloft should be fairly
short lived, about 3 hours, so the main problem with this system
will be snow and wind. Gusts already around 50 mph this afternoon in
central SD with I90 closed west of Mitchell. These poor conditions
will translate east and by midnight all of eastern SD should be in
moderate to heavy snow with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph.

With the main upper level low and dynamics now fully entrenched over
the central plains, the well advertised blizzard will begin/continue
to roar across much of our CWA, except for maybe NW Iowa, by around
midnight. Surface low will continue to wobble eastward out of
southeast Nebraska with very stout Div Q in the northwest quadrant.
A 100+ kt south to north running jet streak will be present through
Iowa into Minnesota and will further enhance lift over much of our
area. Colder air will continue to filter in from northwest to
southeast changing any remaining rain to snow through the overnight
hours, except for our far southeast counties near Storm Lake.
Snowfall will be heavy at times during the overnight and early
morning hours Saturday, with strong omega in the dendritic layer and
even hints of elevated CAPE and EPV* above the midlevel
frontogenesis. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches an hour are certainly
possible with an rumble or two of thunder possible. Additionally,
a very tightly packed pressure gradient will result in strong
north or northeasterly winds, perhaps gusting up to 50-60 mph at
times.

By Saturday afternoon, the upper level low will still be centered
over the MO/NE/IA/KS corner region. Snow will still be falling over
most areas but the main lift will be gradually shifting to the east.
Latest guidance seems to have slowed the ending of the snow some,
and may last into at least the early to mid evening hours (perhaps
longer) across far eastern SD, SW MN, and NW IA. Main energy should
be far enough east that snow should diminish across our entire
area by daybreak Sunday, save but the chance at some very light
snow or flurries across our far eastern counties in NW IA/SW MN.

Impacts: No doubt this storm will have significant impacts to
multiple facets of society. First and foremost, travel will be very
dangerous to impossible across much of the region. White-out
conditions are already occurring in some areas and are expected
everywhere else through the overnight and morning hours Saturday.
Additionally, drifting of snow will prolong the recovery time,
especially in rural areas. Exposed livestock will also be
threatened. Overall, tree and powerline damage should be fairly
limited as ongoing winds should prevent too much snow from
accumulating on the surfaces. The one exception would be if any
location can pick up any sort of icing.

Amounts: Significant snow totals are expected across much of the
area, with a broad area of 8+ looking fairly likely. Certainly
could see several reports of more than a foot of new snowfall
with the heaviest corridor of snow running from south central
South Dakota into the Buffalo Ridge of southwest Minnesota. Lower
amounts of 3-6 inches look more common across portions of
northwest Iowa.

Headlines: Will expand the Blizzard Warnings to the remainder of our
counties that were previously in a Winter Storm Watch, given
snowfall of 3+ inches and strong winds expected. Also extended
the ending time of our existing headlines by 3 hours due to the
slightly slow exit of the system.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday night through Friday)
Issued at 316 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

Due to the impending blizzard, didn't spend much time on the
extended portions of the forecast. With well entrenched and new
snowpack, below normal temperatures will continue into next week.
Our next precipitation chance will arrive late Tuesday into
Wednesday. This very well could be another system to watch as the
ECMWF is cold enough at least some snow.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Saturday night)
Issued at 1044 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

Any remaining rain will transition to snow overnight, with widespread
IFR and occasional LIFR in heavy snow and blowing snow across the
area through Saturday.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...Blizzard Warning until 10 PM CDT Saturday for SDZ039-040-054>056-
     060>062-065>070.

     Blizzard Warning until 7 PM CDT Saturday for SDZ038-050-052-053-
     057>059-063-064.

     Blizzard Warning until 10 PM CDT Saturday for SDZ071.

MN...Blizzard Warning until 10 PM CDT Saturday for MNZ071-072-080-097-
     098.

     Blizzard Warning until 1 AM CDT Sunday for MNZ081-089-090.

IA...Blizzard Warning until 1 AM CDT Sunday for IAZ002-003-013-014.

     Blizzard Warning until 10 PM CDT Saturday for IAZ001-012-020.

     Blizzard Warning from 7 AM Saturday to 1 AM CDT Sunday for
     IAZ021-022-031-032.

NE...Blizzard Warning until 10 PM CDT Saturday for NEZ013-014.

&&

SHORT TERM...Kalin/08
LONG TERM...Kalin
AVIATION...JM

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 13, 7:35 PM CST, 4 hours 25 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
835 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-
098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-150145-
Lyon IA-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay IA-Plymouth-Cherokee-
Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln MN-Lyon MN-Murray-Cottonwood-
Nobles-Jackson-Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-
Brookings-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-
Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-
Turner-Lincoln SD-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay SD-Union-
835 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Iowa,
west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska,
central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central
South Dakota, and southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

A strong late winter storm will continue to impact the area through
Saturday night, with moderate to heavy snow, and strong north
winds in excess of 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

A blizzard warning is in effect for the area into Saturday. The
combination of snow and wind will create significant impacts
including infrastructure and travel. Travel may be extremely
difficult to impossible tonight into Saturday.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions will continue across the areas
through Saturday night. Travel may be extremely difficult to
impossible Saturday through the day.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected, but any reports will be
appreciated.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 13, 6:24 PM CST, 5 hours 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
724 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

SDZ039-040-054>056-059>061-063>065-068-140230-
Kingsbury-Brookings-Miner-Lake-Moody-Davison-Hanson-McCook-
Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Bon Homme-
724 PM CDT Fri Apr 13 2018

Friday evening, be aware that in locations that are not snowing,
but remain below freezing, that freezing drizzle or freezing rain
has become a problem. This area includes east central South
Dakota, to the western sections of southeast South Dakota around
Mitchell and points southward. With a persistent strong north to
northeast wind, ice will accumulate on the north and northeast
sides of trees, power lines and power poles. Some power lines
could become quite heavy and unstable as the freezing
precipitation continues into the late evening hours until snow
begins in earnest across these locations. Wind only makes this
problem worse. If you see power lines which are down, report it to
law enforcement and do not approach them.

Local storm report, Apr 13, 8:30 PM CST, 3 hours 30 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SIOUX FALLS SD
930 PM CDT FRI APR 13 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0900 PM     SNOW             DE SMET                 44.39N 97.56W
04/13/2018  E2.0 INCH        KINGSBURY          SD   CO-OP OBSERVER

            ESTIMATED AVERAGE SNOWFALL IN STRONG WINDS.

0657 PM     SNOW             2 S HURON               44.34N 98.22W
04/13/2018  M4.0 INCH        BEADLE             SD   OFFICIAL NWS OBS

            4.0 INCHES IN PAST 6 HOURS MAKE THE TOTAL
            FOR THE DAY 7.5 INCHES.

0640 PM     SNOW             MITCHELL                43.73N 98.03W
04/13/2018  M0.3 INCH        DAVISON            SD   TRAINED SPOTTER

            MOST OF THIS WAS SLEET STILL ON THE GROUND,
            BUT ALSO A LITTLE SNOW, AND HAIL FROM
            EARLIER IN THE DAY.

0410 PM     SNOW             5 S CHAMBERLAIN         43.73N 99.31W
04/13/2018  E3.5 INCH        BRULE              SD   CO-OP OBSERVER

            THUNDER AND 3 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOWFALL WIND
            STRONG WINDS.

0525 AM     HAIL             3 N DELMONT             43.31N 98.16W
04/13/2018  E1.00 INCH       DOUGLAS            SD   TRAINED SPOTTER

            THE GROUND WAS COVERED WITH 3 TO 4 INCHES OF
            HAIL AFTER THE STORM. HAIL WAS ACCOMPANIED
            BY 25 TO 30 MPH WINDS, WHICH POUNDED SOME
            PAINT OFF AN OUT-BUILDING.

&&

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Lyon

When: April 14, 12:00 AM CST to April 15, 1:00 PM CST
Where: Lyon forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.381, -96.210 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the early morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 60 mph at Sheldon) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.5 inches was measured at Rock Rapids.

Blizzard, Plymouth

When: April 14, 2:00 AM CST to 8:45 PM CST
Where: Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.738, -96.214 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 58 mph at Le Mars) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.1 inches was measured at Le Mars with 4.5 inches at Remsen.

Blizzard, Sioux

When: April 14, 2:30 AM CST to 8:45 PM CST
Where: Sioux forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.083, -96.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 53 mph at Orange City) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.4 inches was measured at Orange City with 4.0 inches at Rock Valley and Sioux Center.

Blizzard, Cherokee

When: April 14, 3:00 AM CST to April 15, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Cherokee forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.736, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 52 mph at Cherokee) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 7.5 inches was measured at Washta with 7.0 inches at Cherokee.

Blizzard, Clay

When: April 14, 3:30 AM CST to April 15, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.083, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 66 mph at Spencer) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 10.0 inches was amassed at Spencer, with 8.0 inches measured at 3 miles west northwest of Everly.

Blizzard, O'Brien

When: April 14, 3:30 AM CST to April 15, 7:15 PM CST
Where: O'Brien forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.084, -95.625 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 60 mph at Sheldon) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 8.3 inches was measured at Sanborn and 6.0 inches at Primghar.

Blizzard, Osceola

When: April 14, 3:30 AM CST to April 15, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Osceola forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.379, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 58 mph 2 miles northeast of Sibley) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 8.5 inches was measured at Sibley.

Blizzard, Buena Vista

When: April 14, 3:40 AM CST to April 15, 2:35 PM CST
Where: Buena Vista forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.736, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 54 mph at Storm Lake) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 10.1 inches was measured 4 miles east of Sioux Rapids with 5.0 inches at Storm Lake.

Blizzard, Dickinson

When: April 14, 4:00 AM CST to April 15, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Dickinson forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.378, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 43 mph at 4 miles west of Spirit Lake and 72 mph at Estherville) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 14.2 inches was amassed 4 miles northwest of Milford, 13.4 inches at Spirit Lake and 10.0 inches at Lake Park.

Blizzard, Ida

When: April 14, 4:30 AM CST to April 15, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Ida forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.387, -95.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 43 mph at Ida Grove) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.0 inches was measured at Holstein with 3.2 inches 3 miles northeast of Battle Creek.

Blizzard, Woodbury

When: April 14, 6:00 AM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Woodbury forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.390, -96.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Life threatening conditions developed during the morning of April 14, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds (gusting as high as 48 mph at Sioux City at 42 mph near Moville) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times through the evening of April 14. Travel was not recommended for much of the two day period, if not impossible. A storm total snowfall of 5.7 inches was measured at Sioux City with 3.0 inches near Holly Springs.

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 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, April 2018

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: 753622, 753625, 753626, 753618, 753619, 753623, 753624, 753617, 753620, 753621, 753627.