A strong area of low pressure moved out of the central Rockies and produced snowfall of 2 to 11 inches across southwest Iowa. Blizzard conditions were met in southwest Iowa with measured wind gusts 40 to 62 mph and widespread whiteout conditions.
Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS OAX wrote it up.
A strong area of low pressure moved out of the central Rockies and produced snowfall of 2 to 11 inches across southwest Iowa. Blizzard conditions were met in southwest Iowa with measured wind gusts 40 to 62 mph and widespread whiteout conditions.
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 Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 25, 5:33 AM CST, 2 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
533 AM CST Sun Nov 25 2018
.SHORT TERM...(Today through Tuesday)
Issued at 312 AM CST Sun Nov 25 2018
Winter event is ongoing, with snow expected today, but ending
from northwest to southeast this afternoon. At 3 am, the rain/snow
line extended from about Hebron to Plattsmouth to Red Oak, IA.
And snow had tapered to flurries in northeast NE. Primary brunt of
this storm still focused in southeast NE and southwest IA where
we have increased snowfall to the 8-14" category, with lesser
amounts further north. This sets up a pretty tight gradient of
snow along I80 of 2 to 6 inches. Would not be surprised if some
locations see 12-15" with this storm in our far southeastern
counties, although accurate measurements may be difficult. While
the snow will be pretty wet and heavy, when combined with
northerly winds of 25 to 45 mph, should still create significant
drifting snow.
One concern with the ongoing blizzard warning is that some areas
may not hit official criteria of 1/4 mile visibility for three
sustained hours. Current surface observations across central NE,
where winds are gusting to 35 to 42 knots, are only 1/2 to 3/4
mile early this morning. These stronger wind gusts will impact
the blizzard warning area through the day, and as snowfall rates
increase to the 1-2" per hour range in southeast NE and southwest
IA, visibility could drop to 1/4 mile with whiteout conditions in
open areas.
Where snow has tapered to flurries in northeast NE, will remove
the winter weather advisory that was previously in effect through
the morning.
Otherwise, Monday and Tuesday will remain dry but cold with highs
only in the 20s and 30s and lows in the teens.
.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Saturday)
Issued at 312 AM CST Sun Nov 25 2018
GFS hints at another weak piece of energy moving out of the
northern Rockies Wednesday afternoon and night, but the EC keeps
this north of the forecast area. Beyond then, models are really
diverging with eventual solutions. The ECWMF develops another
very strong closed low storm system across the Plains with rain
and snow Saturday, but the GFS has a short wave ridge, with a
storm system for Sunday. Thus, forecast confidence in the eventual
weather details by the end of the period is quite low.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Monday morning)
Issued at 527 AM CST Sun Nov 25 2018
Winter storm bringing variable conditions to the TAF sites. Snow
is over at KOFK with gusty north winds to 35kts. Ceilings should
scatter out and improve to VFR through the day with winds
subsiding later this afternoon. As for KOMA and KLNK, IFR
conditions expected through the morning hours with falling snow
and areas of blowing snow. Gusty north winds to near 35kts can be
expected through at least the morning hours. Falling snow should
begin to move out around 16-18z with areas of blowing snow
lingering into the afternoon hours. Ceilings are expected to
scatter out and improve this afternoon with diminishing gusty
north winds later this afternoon.
&&
.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for
NEZ043>045-050>053.
Blizzard Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for NEZ065>068-078-
088>093.
Winter Weather Advisory until 8 AM CST this morning for NEZ030-
042.
IA...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for IAZ055-
056-069.
Blizzard Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for IAZ079-080-090-
091.
&&
SHORT TERM...DeWald
LONG TERM...DeWald
AVIATION...KernHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 131 PM CST Sat Nov 24 2018 IAZ043-055-056-069-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>045-050>053- 250945- Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Antelope- Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison-Stanton-Cuming-Burt-Platte-Colfax- Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas-Sarpy- 131 PM CST Sat Nov 24 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest Iowa...west central Iowa...east central Nebraska and northeast Nebraska. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A winter storm will bring rain changing to snow tonight. Snow amounts 1 to 3 inches could occur through daybreak. During the changeover, northerly winds will increase to 25 to 40 mph which will create areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility and near whiteout conditions at times. A winter weather advisory is in effect for the area. Minor flooding will also continue on the Missouri River above Lewis and Clark Lake. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Snow and blowing snow will end from north to south through the day Sunday. An additional 1 to 3 inches of snow could occur along and south of Interstate 80. A winter weather advisory will remain in effect for portions of southeast Nebraska through the day. Travel may be difficult. Minor flooding will continue on the Missouri River above Lewis and Clark Lake. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Snowfall amounts reported to the NWS are appreciated. IAZ079-080-090-091-NEZ065>068-078-088>093-250945- Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline- Jefferson-Gage-Johnson-Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson- 131 PM CST Sat Nov 24 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southwest Iowa and southeast Nebraska. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A Blizzard Warning is in Effect for the area beginning at 3 am Sunday. A fast-moving winter storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions to the area between 3am and 6pm Sunday. Precipitation will begin as rain and change to snow overnight. Snow will be wet and heavy initially and could freeze to power lines, trees, and untreated roads. Cold air will sink south through the morning and falling snow will become lighter in nature. Combined with 25-35 mph winds gusting to 40 mph at times, significant blowing and drifting is expected which will reduce visibilities to near zero at times. Snowfall totals in the area will range between 3-7 inches. Travel will be dangerous to impossible at times. Minor flooding will also continue on the Missouri River above Lewis and Clark Lake. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday Snow and blowing snow will end from north to south through the day Sunday. An additional 1 to 3 inches of snow could occur along and south of Interstate 80. Travel will be dangerous to impossible at times. Minor flooding will continue on the Missouri River above Lewis and Clark Lake. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Snowfall amounts reported to the NWS are appreciated.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
3 blizzard, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Blizzard conditions were reported at the Shenandoah AWOS. Peak winds of 41 mph were observed. Snow amounts up to 10. Iowa DOT snowplows reported blizzard conditions along Interstate 29.
Blizzard conditions were reported at the Clarinda AWOS. Peak winds of 45 mph were observed. Snow amounts up to 10.5.
Blizzard conditions were reported at the Red Oak AWOS. Peak winds of 41 mph were observed. Snow amounts up to 4.5.
Snow amounts of 3-4 were reported across the county. Neighboring counties to the south reported blizzard conditions.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, November 2018
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: 786752, 786753, 786751, 794033.