Winter Storm — Chickasaw, Iowa

2024-01-12 · Chickasaw, Iowa

Event narrative

A volunteer observer reported 7.6 of snowfall in New Hampton.

Wider weather episode

A second heavy snowfall event concluded a multi-day winter event in northeast Iowa on January 12th. An initial narrow band of snowfall with up to 1 per hour rates bifurcated northeast Iowa during the morning hours. Widespread increased winds of 30 to 45 mph exacerbated travel impacts with limited visibilities seen on roadside cameras in parts of northeast Iowa. Narrow bands of increased snowfall rates above 1 per hour with wind gusts of 45 mph resulted in localized, short-lived whiteout conditions and rapidly deteriorating, hazardous road conditions. The limited visibilities resulted in the Iowa Department of Transportation immobilizing snow removal equipment in Clayton and Chickasaw Counties during the overnight hours. This narrow corridor of increased snowfall resulted in highly variable storm total accumulations, highest in far northeast Iowa towards the Mississippi River. Higher accumulations of 5 to 8 were reported in far northeast Iowa with maximum values of 10.0 in Stanley (Fayette County) and Monona (Clayton County). Iowa State Patrol reported frequent spin offs and automobile accidents across northeast Iowa.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1158112. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.