Iowa, 2024

Blizzard and Winter Storm in Iowa, January 11 to 16, 2024

January 11 to 16, 2024 · NWS FSD · 33 events in 11 counties and zones

A multi-faceted winter system impacted much of the area from the afternoon hours of January 11 through early on January 16. Initial wintry impacts resulted from snowfall which developed and wrapped northward through areas along and south of I-90 during the afternoon and early evening of the 11th and ended during the afternoon on the 12th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 33 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
33

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.

A multi-faceted winter system impacted much of the area from the afternoon hours of January 11 through early on January 16.

Initial wintry impacts resulted from snowfall which developed and wrapped northward through areas along and south of I-90 during the afternoon and early evening of the 11th and ended during the afternoon on the 12th. Periods of very low visibility in moderate to briefly heavy snow occurred mainly south of U.S. Highway 18 during the morning and early afternoon of the 12th, but winds remained below blizzard thresholds. As a result, snow accumulations generally varied from a trace to light dusting north of I-90, up to an inch or two along I-90, and up to 3 to 8 inches south of U.S. Highway 18.

As the snow tapered off on the 12th, northwest winds increased to a gusty 35 to 55 mph, which ushered in a period of blowing snow and bitterly cold wind chills. Where greater accumulating snow occurred on the 11th and 12th, winds produced significant ground blizzard conditions through much of the day on the 13th as winds generally peaked. Roads were either closed or travel not advised across northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa, as well as areas of southeast South Dakota near and south of I-90 from the 13th into the 14th. Winds diminished some over the following couple of days, but as temperatures fell into the teens to around 20 below zero and remained below zero for up to 72 to 84 hours, wind chill values reached 40 below to 60 below zero at times. The coldest values occurred during the period of stronger winds on the 13th to early on the 14th.

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 Jan 11, 11:35 AM CST, 2 hours 25 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Another strengthening winter storm system moves in later today through Friday. Confidence is highest in amounts for the Winter Storm Warning (5+ inches of snow), with confidence decreasing into the Winter Weather Advisory counties. Hi-res guidance early this morning continues to wobble, so would not be surprised to see additional increases of 2+ inches if trends continue. Expect a tight northern gradient in snowfall amounts.
  • Strong northwest winds gusting 30 to 45 mph Friday afternoon through Saturday will make travel very difficult to impossible at times due to reduced visibility from blowing and drifting snow. Blizzard conditions are possible late Friday night through Saturday.
  • Strong winds combined with bitterly cold air brings wind chills below -20 F from early Saturday morning through at least Monday night across the region, and there are likely to be periods where wind chills dip below -40 F. Avoid spending time outdoors during this period, and if you must travel, be prepared with a winter emergency kit.
  • Wind Chill Advisory issued Friday night for those counties in South Dakota not already in another headlines. Additional Wind Chill Headlines are likely in the coming days.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 11, 11:35 AM CST, 2 hours 25 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1135 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another strengthening winter storm system moves in later today
  through Friday. Confidence is highest in amounts for the
  Winter Storm Warning (5+ inches of snow), with confidence
  decreasing into the Winter Weather Advisory counties. Hi-res
  guidance early this morning continues to wobble, so would not
  be surprised to see additional increases of 2+ inches if
  trends continue. Expect a tight northern gradient in snowfall
  amounts.

- Strong northwest winds gusting 30 to 45 mph Friday afternoon
  through Saturday will make travel very difficult to impossible
  at times due to reduced visibility from blowing and drifting
  snow. Blizzard conditions are possible late Friday night
  through Saturday.

- Strong winds combined with bitterly cold air brings wind
  chills below -20 F from early Saturday morning through at
  least Monday night across the region, and there are likely to
  be periods where wind chills dip below -40 F. Avoid spending
  time outdoors during this period, and if you must travel, be
  prepared with a winter emergency kit.

- Wind Chill Advisory issued Friday night for those counties in
  South Dakota not already in another headlines. Additional Wind
  Chill Headlines are likely in the coming days.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 406 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

THIS MORNING: Starting off cold with clear skies in the west. Wind
chills are already in the single digits and teens below, with most
temperatures in the single digits/teens above.

TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY: Although confidence has increased in amounts
this morning enough to resolve the previous Winter Storm Watch to
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories, there is still
quite a bit of uncertainty. This stems from two main issues: track
of the system and snow ratios. Keep an eye on the forecast through
the day, as things may still change.

Let's talk details on uncertainty and confidence. As has been the
trend with this system and the early week system, ensemble data and
probabilities continue to lag behind the deterministic solutions and
remain too low. This is also likely due to the lower resolution of
the ensemble guidance washing out our more subtle and impactful
forcing mechanisms. Additionally, deterministic guidance -
especially the hi-res guidance - keeps wobbling north/south by a
county or two run to run. Guidance has been more consistent since
the 12z runs yesterday, especially with the heaviest amounts from
roughly a Yankton, SD to Spirit Lake, IA line. Therefore, have
issued a Winter Storm Warning for this area, with roughly a county
buffer to the north (slightly lower confidence). Issued/maintained
Winter Weather Advisory for roughly Gregory, SD to Slayton, MN where
there is least confidence in amounts and amounts may end up with the
greatest changes over the next 12 hours or so depending on model
trends and where the system tracks. One other piece is that most
data shows a tight snowfall gradient on the northern edge, which
could lead to highly variable amounts between the southern and
northern ends of a county by a couple of inches or more. The other
big uncertainty in this system which will play a pivotal role in
accumulations - snow ratios. With the track of the system, models
are also varying widely on how high snow ratios will be. Trended
higher than WPC/NBM using the ARW, but higher (lower) values will
raise (decrease) snow amounts. Expect to be on the higher end given
how cold we are.

Now, timing and evolution. Snow starts late morning into the
afternoon hours, as the initial WAA wing and frontogenesis lift
northward ahead of the surface/low level low ejecting out of CO into
NE and with the mid level wave diving into the Plains as well.
Multiple layers of frontogenesis (mainly from 850:700mb) being
undercut by the colder air may lead to a delayed onset of the snow;
however, have trended toward the faster hi-res guidance including
the HREF probabilities, as well as the coarser CONSAll. This slowed
the evolution of snow through the day by an hour or two from the
previous forecast. Snow moves east and north as the low pressure
swings out of the south central Plains through tonight, and lingers
through the day Friday as the low wraps up and deepens in the
Midwest. With the strongest forcing/WAA, expect snowfall rates this
evening south of I-90 around or above 0.5 inches per hour,
approaching 0.75 inch per hour rates in the MO Valley into the Hwy
20 corridor. These stronger rates, possibly approaching 1 inch per
hours are possible overnight into Friday morning across northwestern
IA, where another area of focused frontogenesis rotates in.

Finally, current thinking for amounts. In the Warning area, anywhere
from 3 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts. For the Advisory,
2 to 6 inches; higher amounts are possible especially with a
northward shift. Outside of Winter Storm Warning/Winter Weather
Advisory, less than 2 inches is expected. If this storm shifts
north, these amounts will increase and shift northward as well.

Cold conditions expected with highs in the single digits and teens
with lows near/below zero. Winds increase through the day Friday as
the low deepens in the Midwest. By Friday afternoon, expect
widespread gusts near/above 35 mph, leading to blowing/drifting
snow, reduced visibility, and dangerous travel conditions along with
bitter wind chills in the teens below. Winds increase as the snow
tapers off.

FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK: Most of the accumulation from
the winter storm tapers off late Friday night east of I-29. Light
snow chances continue into the weekend with the wave and CAA.

One of the two biggest concerns is the prevailing strong
northwesterly winds into much of the weekend, due to the tight
surface pressure gradient between the deepening low to the east and
Arctic high pressure off to the northwest. This high slides into the
area Sunday, which will likely keep winds a touch breezy (less so
than Saturday) due to the strong CAA and some mixing into the
stronger winds aloft. Late Friday through Saturday night, expected
winds from the northwest gusting as high as 45 mph, with gusts
around 25-30 mph on Sunday. Strong winds through this period will
lead to a prolonged period of blowing and drifting snow - creating
difficult (at best) to impossible travel conditions. Blizzard
conditions are possible Friday night through Saturday, especially
for those areas with the highest new snow totals, including what
fell early this week.

In addition to reduced visibility with blowing (or drifting) snow,
these winds combined with bitterly cold temperatures will lead to
dangerously cold wind chills from late week through the early part
of next week. Temperatures likely go below zero Friday night,
staying near or below zero into early next week. Widespread single
digits/teens above aren't expected to return until Tuesday. Wind
chills values Friday night generally -20 to -30 F, and have issued a
Wind Chill Advisory for the SD counties not already covered by a
Winter Weather Headline. Wind chills to -40 F (or colder) for the
weekend into early next week; however, given the focus on the short
term/winter storm will allow subsequent shifts to push any headlines.

Avoid time outdoors and ensure that pets and livestock can as well.
If you have to travel, let others know your plans and have a fully
stocked winter emergency kit with you. Check road and weather
conditions before you go.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1121 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

VFR conditions will prevail early this afternoon, deteriorating
21z-03z as light to moderate snow and MVFR to IFR ceilings and
vsby spread in from the south and west from central Nebraska.
Light to moderate snow, with periods of heavy snow south of a
Yankton to Sheldon to Spencer line (including at Sioux City),
will continue overnight. The bulk of the snow will occur near
and south of a Lake Andes to Sioux Falls to Tracy MN line where
3+ inches is expected to occur by end of the day Friday. Further
north near Huron and Brookings, less than 2 inches of snow is
expected with this system.

Northwest winds will increase overnight, gusting 15-25 kts. Gusts
up to 35 kts are possible during daylight hours Friday. Although
snow will begin to taper off from the northwest during the day
Friday, IFR to MVFR ceilings and visibility will persist through
the day at Sioux Falls and Sioux City and adjacent areas as
increasing winds will cause areas of blowing and drifting snow.

&&

.FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...Winter Storm Warning from 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST
     Friday night for SDZ066>071.
     Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 6 PM CST
     Friday for SDZ059>062-064-065.
     Wind Chill Advisory from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Friday
     for SDZ038>040-050-052>059-063-064-068.
     Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST Friday for SDZ050-063.
MN...Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to midnight CST
     Friday night for MNZ081-089-090.
     Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 PM CST
     Friday for MNZ080-097.
     Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 6 PM CST
     Friday for MNZ098.
IA...Winter Storm Warning from 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST
     Friday night for IAZ001-012-020-031.
     Winter Storm Warning from 6 PM this evening to midnight CST
     Friday night for IAZ002-003-013-014-021-022-032.
NE...Winter Storm Warning from 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST
     Friday night for NEZ013-014.

&&

DISCUSSION...SG
AVIATION...BP
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 11, 4:15 AM CST, 9 hours 45 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
415 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

IAZ001>003-012-MNZ081-089-090-SDZ066>071-121015-
Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson-Turner-
Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay-Union-
415 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, southwest
Minnesota and southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Snow is expected to develop late Thursday afternoon into Thursday
evening. This snow will spread east and northeast through Thursday
night. Rapid accumulations of snow may be possible creating poor
driving conditions.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Ongoing snow will continue through Friday and linger into Saturday.
Storm total accumulations of 3 to 7 inches may be possible, but there
remains uncertainty in the forecast.  Amounts may trend upwards.

Strong northerly winds develop Friday afternoon and linger through
Saturday. Wind gusts to 40 mph may be possible, leading to the
potential of widespread blowing and drifting snow. In some areas,
visibility may be severely impacted.

After the snow and wind diminishes arctic air arrives. Wind chills
drop as low as 25 below zero Saturday morning, and as low as 45 below
by Sunday and Monday morning. Precautions should be taken to avoid
outdoor exposure in these temperatures.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MNZ071-072-SDZ038>040-052>058-121015-
Lincoln-Lyon-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-
Moody-Brule-Aurora-
415 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Minnesota, central
South Dakota, east central South Dakota and south central South
Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Snow is expected to develop late Thursday afternoon into Thursday
evening. This snow will spread east and northeast through Thursday
night. Accumulations will remain minor.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Ongoing snow will continue through Friday and linger into Saturday.
Storm total accumulations of a trace to 3 inches may be possible,
but there remains uncertainty in the forecast. Amounts may trend
upwards and all are urged to monitor the forecast today.

Strong northerly winds develop Friday afternoon and linger through
Saturday. Wind gusts to 40 mph may be possible, leading to the
potential of widespread blowing and drifting snow. In some areas,
visibility may be severely impacted.

After the snow and wind diminishes arctic air arrives. Wind chills
drop as low as 25 below zero Saturday morning, and as low as 45 below
by Sunday and Monday morning. Precautions should be taken to avoid
outdoor exposure in these temperatures.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

MNZ080-097-098-SDZ050-059>065-121015-
Murray-Pipestone-Rock-Gregory-Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha-
Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-
415 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Minnesota, south
central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Snow is expected to develop late Thursday afternoon into Thursday
evening. This snow will spread east and northeast through Thursday
night. Rapid accumulations of snow may be possible creating poor
driving conditions.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Ongoing snow will continue through Friday and linger into Saturday.
Storm total accumulations of 1 to 5 inches may be possible, but
there remains uncertainty in the forecast. Amounts may trend upwards
and all are urged to monitor the forecast today.

Strong northerly winds develop Friday afternoon and linger through
Saturday. Wind gusts to 40 mph may be possible, leading to the
potential of widespread blowing and drifting snow. In some areas,
visibility may be severely impacted.

After the snow and wind diminishes arctic air arrives. Wind chills
drop as low as 25 below zero Saturday morning, and as low as 45 below
by Sunday and Monday morning. Precautions should be taken to avoid
outdoor exposure in these temperatures.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

IAZ013-014-020>022-031-032-NEZ013-014-121015-
O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Dixon-Dakota-
415 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central
Iowa and northeast Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Snow is expected to develop late Thursday afternoon into Thursday
evening. This snow will spread east and northeast through Thursday
night. Rapid accumulations of snow may be possible creating poor
driving conditions.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Ongoing snow will continue through Friday and linger into Saturday.
Storm total accumulations of 6 to 11 inches may be possible, but
there remains uncertainty in the forecast. Amounts may trend upwards
and all are urged to monitor the forecast today.

Strong northerly winds develop Friday afternoon and linger through
Saturday. Wind gusts to 40 mph may be possible, leading to the
potential of widespread blowing and drifting snow. In some areas,
visibility may be severely impacted.

After the snow and wind diminishes arctic air arrives. Wind chills
drop as low as 25 below zero Saturday morning, and as low as 45 below
by Sunday and Monday morning. Precautions should be taken to avoid
outdoor exposure in these temperatures.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 11, 8:20 AM CST, 5 hours 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
820 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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

0700 AM     Snow             6 NW Montrose           43.77N 97.25W
01/11/2024  M2.5 inch        McCook             SD   Cocorahs

            Storm total accumulation.

&&

ak
Local storm report, Jan 11, 8:43 AM CST, 5 hours 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
843 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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

0700 AM     Snow             Yankton                 42.89N 97.39W
01/11/2024  M2.0 inch        Yankton            SD   Cocorahs

            Storm total accumulation.

&&

ak
Local storm report, Jan 11, 8:59 AM CST, 5 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
859 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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

0800 AM     Snow             Sibley                  43.40N 95.75W
01/11/2024  M2.0 inch        Osceola            IA   CO-OP Observer

            Storm total accumulation.

&&

ak
Local storm report, Jan 11, 9:00 AM CST, 5 hours before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
900 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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

0740 AM     Snow             1 NNW Canton            43.31N 96.59W
01/11/2024  M3.7 inch        Lincoln            SD   CO-OP Observer

            Storm total accumulation.

&&

ak
Local storm report, Jan 11, 9:50 AM CST, 4 hours 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
950 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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

0800 AM     Snow             Tyndall                 42.99N 97.86W
01/11/2024  M2.2 inch        Bon Homme          SD   CO-OP Observer

            Storm total accumulation.

&&

ak
Local storm report, Jan 11, 9:51 AM CST, 4 hours 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
951 AM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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

0800 AM     Snow             Storm Lake              42.65N 95.19W
01/11/2024  M2.0 inch        Buena Vista        IA   CO-OP Observer

            Storm total accumulation.

&&

ak

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, 11 extreme cold/wind chill, 8 winter weather, 3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Plymouth

When
January 11, 2:00 PM CST to January 12, 3:00 PM CST
Where
Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
42.738, -96.214 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Le Mars and Remsen. Visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on the 12th was briefly as low as 1/2 mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions with accumulation rates around an inch per hour.

Winter Weather, Sioux

When
January 11, 2:00 PM CST to January 12, 3:00 PM CST
Where
Sioux forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
43.083, -96.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 5.0 inches in Sioux Center, 3.6 inches in Orange City, and 3.0 inches in Rock Valley. With winds gusting from 30 to 35 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally as low as 1/2 mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions with accumulation rates up to an inch per hour.

Winter Storm, Woodbury

When
January 11, 3:00 PM CST to January 12, 3:00 PM CST
Where
Woodbury forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
42.390, -96.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy snowfall totaled 7.6 inches near Hornick and 6.9 inches in Sioux City. Visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on the 12th was briefly as low as 1/4 mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions with accumulation rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Winter Storm, O'Brien

When
January 11, 4:00 PM CST to January 12, 3:00 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)

Heavy snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Primghar, 5.2 inches at Sheldon, and 3.4 inches at Sanborn. Visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on the 12th was briefly as low as 1/4 mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions with accumulation rates around an inch per hour.

Winter Weather, Lyon

When
January 11, 6:00 PM CST to January 12, 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)

Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches in Rock Rapids. With winds gusting around 30 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and very early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally less than one mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions.

Winter Weather, Cherokee

When
January 11, 6:00 PM CST to January 12, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Cherokee forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
42.736, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 5.3 inches at Cherokee. With winds gusting from 30 to 35 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally less than one mile, creating hazardous travel conditions.

Winter Weather, Ida

When
January 11, 6:00 PM CST to January 12, 5:00 PM CST
Where
Ida forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
42.387, -95.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 2.1 inches near Battle Creek and 1.5 inches near Arthur. With winds gusting from 30 to 35 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally less than one mile, creating hazardous travel conditions.

Winter Weather, Buena Vista

When
January 11, 8:30 PM CST to January 12, 6:00 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)

Snowfall totaled 4.2 inches at Storm Lake and 3.5 inches at Sioux Rapids. With winds gusting from 30 to 35 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally less than one half mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions.

Winter Weather, Osceola

When
January 11, 9:00 PM CST to January 12, 3:00 PM CST
Where
Osceola forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
43.379, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches in Sibley. With winds gusting around 30 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and very early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally less than one mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions.

Winter Weather, Dickinson

When
January 11, 11:00 PM CST to January 12, 3:00 PM CST
Where
Dickinson forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
43.378, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 4.1 inches in Spirit Lake, 3.5 inches 4 miles north of Wahpeton, and 3.0 inches near Lake Park. With winds gusting from 30 to 35 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally less than 3/4 mile, creating very hazardous travel conditions.

Winter Weather, Clay

When
January 12, 2:00 AM CST to 3:00 PM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
43.083, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 2.2 inches in Spencer. With winds gusting from 30 to 35 mph, visibility in falling and blowing snow during the morning and early afternoon on January 12 was occasionally less than one mile, creating hazardous travel conditions.

Blizzard, Buena Vista

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Buena Vista forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.736, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 45 mph near Storm Lake and 40 mph near Truesdale during the early evening of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Cherokee

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Cherokee forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.736, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 41 mph at Marcus during the afternoon of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Ida

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Ida forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
42.387, -95.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 42 mph at Battle Creek during the afternoon of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Woodbury

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Woodbury forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.390, -96.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 49 mph near Sergeant Bluff, 44 mph in Sioux City, and 39 mph in Moville during the afternoon and early evening of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Plymouth

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.738, -96.214 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 40 mph near Remsen and northern Sioux City and 39 mph at Le Mars during the afternoon and early evening of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Sioux

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Sioux forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
43.083, -96.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 45 mph near Maurice, 40 mph at Hawarden, and 38 mph near Alton during the afternoon of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, O'Brien

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
O'Brien forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
43.084, -95.625 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 40 mph at Sheldon and 33 mph at Hartley and Sutherland during the evening of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Clay

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
43.083, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 46 mph at Spencer and 39 mph 5 miles southeast of Spencer during the afternoon of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Dickinson

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Dickinson forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.378, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 40 mph at Terril and 38 mph 7 miles southwest of Milford during the afternoon of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Blizzard, Osceola

When
January 12, 3:00 PM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Osceola forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.379, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 36 mph at Sibley during the evening of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Buena Vista

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Buena Vista forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
42.736, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -51 degrees near Storm Lake and -50 degrees near Truesdale during the evening of January 13 and early overnight January 14.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Clay

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Clay forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
43.083, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -53 degrees 5 miles southeast of Spencer and -47 degrees at Spencer during the evening of January 13.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Dickinson

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Dickinson forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
43.378, -95.151 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -51 degrees at Terril, -49 degrees at Milford, and -46 degrees near Spirit Lake and Lake Park during the evening of January 13 and early overnight January 14.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Osceola

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 12:00 PM CST
Where
Osceola forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
43.379, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -55 degrees near Sibley during the evening of January 13.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, O'Brien

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 12:00 PM CST
Where
O'Brien forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.084, -95.625 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -53 degrees at Hartley, -51 degrees at Sutherland, and -49 degrees at Sheldon during the evening of January 13.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lyon

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Lyon forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.381, -96.210 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -49 degrees at Larchwood during the evening of January 13.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Sioux

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Sioux forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
43.083, -96.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -51 degrees near Maurice, -50 degrees in Hawarden, -47 degrees at Alton, and -46 degrees in Hull during the evening of January 13 and early overnight January 14.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Plymouth

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Plymouth forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.738, -96.214 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -50 degrees in Remsen and -48 degrees on the north side of Sioux City during the evening of January 13 and early overnight January 14.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Cherokee

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Cherokee forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.736, -95.624 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -52 degrees at Marcus during the evening of January 13 and early overnight January 14.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Ida

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Ida forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
42.387, -95.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -49 degrees at Battle Creek during the early overnight of January 14.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Woodbury

When
January 12, 6:00 PM CST to January 16, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Woodbury forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
42.390, -96.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind chills remained -35 degrees or colder at times over a nearly four-day period, with a minimum wind chill of -45 degrees in Danbury and Sioux City and -44 degrees near Sergeant Bluff during the evening of January 13 and early overnight January 14.

Blizzard, Lyon

When
January 13, 12:00 AM CST to January 14, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Lyon forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.381, -96.210 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Compounded by earlier snowfall, whiteout and near whiteout conditions developed as northwest winds peaked at 40 mph near Doon during the afternoon of January 13. Travel was not recommended.

What these are

Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Winter Weather
Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
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.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Iowa in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, January 2024

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: 1159540, 1159545, 1157191, 1159542, 1159546, 1159557, 1159559, 1159558, 1159553, 1159555, 1159556, 1156815, 1156816, 1156817, 1156818, 1156819, 1156820, 1156821, 1156822, 1156823, 1156824, 1156785, 1156786, 1156787, 1156788, 1156789, 1156790, 1156791, 1156792, 1156793, 1156794, 1156795, 1156825.