Blizzard in Jones, Iowa

The AWOS at the Monticello Airport AWOS (KMXO) reported several hours of the visibility below a quarter of a mile in falling and blowing snow. Trained spotter snowfall reports ranged from 3 inches 2 miles east southeast of Fairview to 5.0 inches 1 mile north northwest of Monticello.

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. Interstate 80 was closed during the night of March 15 west of Iowa City all the way to the Nebraska/Iowa border.