Winter Storm — Carroll, Iowa

2024-01-12 · Carroll, Iowa

Wider weather episode

A Colorado low lifted out of the Rockies and into the midwest beginning January 11th. Effects of the system would last for several days with heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions, followed by bitter cold. The robust system pulled deep moisture out of the gulf, contributing to the development of a TROWAL. This aided in development of a hand of heavy snow developing across southern Iowa. The deep system created a tight pressure gradient across the state and strong cold air advection. This enhanced gusty winds behind the snow and help to send temperatures plummeting.

This onslaught of wintry weather came in waves, starting with heavy snowfall on the night of January 11th and lasting through January 12th. Accumulations were highest over southern and southeastern Iowa where amounts ranged from 10 to 14 inches, then steadily tapered off further north and west where 6 to 8 inches was more common.

The heavier snowfall rates moved out of the area by midday Friday, January 12th,

but the impacts had only just begun with light snow and gusty winds continuing periodically through Friday and into Saturday, January 13th. The residual snowpack from the winter storm earlier in the week and powdery snow falling from this system resulted in blizzard conditions as gusty winds picked up Friday. Widespread wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph were observed throughout Iowa, with some locations gusting over 50 mph at times. Whiteout conditions developed on roadways, as blowing and drifting snow made travel nearly impossible for much of Friday and Saturday. These poor travel conditions resulted in multiple road closures, including stretches of I-80, with many more roads deemed impassable by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Travel conditions didn't fully improve until the morning of Sunday, January 14th when wind gusts finally diminished.

In addition to the heavy snow and blizzard conditions, this system brought down an Arctic air mass which plummeted temperatures well below zero. Wind chills during the blizzard dropped to the -10s to -20s on Friday, then -30s to -40s by Saturday (January 13th) evening, creating life-threatening danger with this winter storm. This bitter cold settled in across the area all the way through January 16th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1155843. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.