National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Lake-effect Snow and Whiteout Conditions in the Great Lakes Region; Below-average Temperatures in the East

Heavy lake-effect and lake-enhanced snow will persist downwind of the Great Lakes and produce some whiteout conditions that could cause difficult travel conditions. A coastal low will produce moderate to heavy snow over parts of southern and eastern New England into the afternoon. Below average temperatures are expected across the eastern U.S., particularly with chilly morning temperatures. Read More >

Overview

A strong winter storm brought widespread snow to the region Thursday, with amounts generally between 1-4 inches.  Some higher totals near 6 inches were reported in eastern Linn and Cedar counties.  Strong winds also accompanied the snow which caused significant blowing and drifting, especially in rural areas.  Many accidents were reported on Interstate 80, causing frequent backups.  Even stronger winds were observed on Friday across the area.  Wind gusts between 40-50 mph were common, creating ground blizzard conditions primarily along and north of Interstate 80 in Iowa. 

In addition, temperatures dropped sharply behind the arctic cold front on Thursday and continued to fall throughout the day.  Single digit temperatures with wind chills between -20 and -40 degrees were common. 
 

NWS Official Totals

Moline: 0.9"
Dubuque: 2.9"
Davenport NWS: 2.3" 

 

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Weather Prediction Center Surface Analysis/Fronts/Radar 
9am Thursday
NWS Quad Cities Courtesy: IA DOT

 

 
   
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