Winter Storm in Van Buren, Iowa

A strong winter storm exiting the Southern Rockies pumped warm tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico over cold Arctic air already in place over the upper midwest. As the storm moved toward the Great Lakes it produced heavy snow, strong winds, and a bitterly cold start to the New Year across Eastern Iowa and Northwest Illinois. With snowfall amounts ranging from 12 to 15 inches across Southeast Iowa to 9 to 12 inches over East Central Iowa roads and highways quickly became snowpacked causing several businesses to close over the weekend. Most school students enjoyed a longer holiday break as schools were closed several days to allow snow to be removed from streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Two fatalities were reported. In Burlington a 40 year old man died of a heart attack after shoveling snow, and in Davenport an 11 year old Oklahoma boy was killed when the car in which he was riding was struck by a semi-truck. Over all...most counties reported few accidents as motorists heeded earlier advisories that warned of deteriorating travel conditions.