Blizzard in Rock Island, Illinois

The Moline-Quad Cities International Airport ASOS reported several hours of visibilities between 1/2sm and 1 mile from 6:30 PM to 8 AM CST on the 16th. The official NWS observation at the Moline Quad Cities Airport was 7.0 inches. Trained spotter snowfall reports ranged from 5.5 inches 1 mile southwest of Silvis to 7 inches 2 miles north of Rock Island.

A large storm system moved across the Midwest March 15 to the 16th, initially bringing rain and thunderstorms to the area on the morning of the 15th. This storm system intensified rapidly into the evening drawing much colder air into the region. This resulted in widespread snow across the area with strong west with frequent gusts of 40 to 55 MPH. many area airports reported visibilities as low a half a mile with several of a quarter of a mile or less for several hours. Local news reported that most areas schools were closed and several Department of Transportation districts reported snow covered road ways.