O'brien storm history

Rainfall amounts across O'Brien County from June 20-22 ranged from 5 to 9 inches, with the highest amounts across the northern half of the county. Widespread overland flooding ensued with additional minor to major flooding along the Floyd and Little Floyd Rivers, and Waterman Cre…

An extended period of precipitation began with freezing rain quickly producing heavy ice accumulations, ranging up to between a quarter and half inch. The precipitation then changed to sleet and then snow, with sleet and snow accumulations reaching 3 to 6 inches. Many branches, l…

Large hail caused widespread damage in and near Sheldon. The hail broke windows on vehicles and buildings, including 35 out of the 37 skylights on the local high school. The hail also severely dented vehicles, roofs, and siding, and caused tree damage. The hail also damaged crops…

Two episodes of extended blizzard conditions occurred over a slightly less than 24 hour period, with a slight improvement in conditions during the late afternoon to mid evening. Gusty northwest winds from 35 to 50 mph were concurrent with light to moderate snowfall, which totaled…

Sustained northwest winds occasionally reached 30 to 39 mph with a gust as high as 54 mph at Sheldon.

Periods of light snowfall along with winds of 35 to 55 mph resulted in periods of whiteout conditions. Travel was not recommended during the afternoon. Several highways were closed for a time, including U.S. Highway 18 from Sanborn to east of Hartley where several accidents were …

Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches at Sheldon.

Wind chills reached as low as -32 degrees at Sheldon and -30 degrees at Hartley.

Synoptic northwest winds were occasionally sustained from 40 to 46 mph at an Iowa Mesonet station 1 mile south of Calumet as well as gusts as high as 64 mph at a personal weather station near Sheldon.

Snowfall totaled 7.2 inches at Sanborn, 7.0 inches at Sheldon, and 6.0 inches at Primghar.

A long-duration snowfall totaled 8.7 inches at Primghar, 8.6 inches at Sanborn, and 6.0 inches at Sheldon.

Sustained winds reached 30 to 38 mph at times with a peak gust of 54 mph at a Automated Weather Observing System site near Sheldon.

Snowfall totaled 4.8 inches at Primghar and 4.0 inches at Sheldon.

An extended period of hail fell with hail up to 2 inches in diameter from 1740 to 1750 CST. Hail was still falling at dime to nickel size as of 1809 CST.

A few 2 inch hailstones fell on the north edge of Sutherland.

Several photos were received of quarter size hail in Primghar.

Quarter size hail fell for approximately 5 minutes.

Hail was mostly pea to dime size, but several stones were from quarter up to golf ball size.

Dangerous heat index values peaked as high as 112 degrees near Hartley and 106 degrees at Sheldon on August 16.

Dangerous heat index values peaked as high as 108 degrees at Sutherland and 102 degrees near Hartley.

Runoff from heavy rainfall estimated from 3 to 5 inches in less than two hours resulted in flash flooding of Roetzel Creek. Sections of 390th and 400th Streets and Monroe Avenue with inundated with rapidly running water.

Rapid runoff from heavy rainfall which totaled up to 2 inches in less than an hour resulted in multiple flooded roadways in Sheldon, IA.

Highway 59 was closed through the entire town due to so many trees knocked down onto the road by thunderstorm wind gusts.

Numerous tree branches, ranging from 6 to 18 inches in diameter, were downed by thunderstorm winds. Some fell on houses with many streets blocked.

Extensive damage was done to an RV business in Sheldon.

Dangerous heat index readings reached an afternoon peak on July 27 as high as 119 degrees at Sutherland and 115 degrees near Hartley.

Dangerous heat index readings reached afternoon peaks as high as 113 degrees at Sutherland, and 108 degrees at Hartley and 2 miles east of Hartley on July 23.

Numerous large tree limbs were taken down by thunderstorm winds.

Daily afternoon and evening heat indices ranged from 105 to 115 degrees with a maximum heat index of 115 degrees at a personal weather station in Hartley and 114 degrees near Sutherland on June 20.

Sustained easterly winds reached 30 to 38 mph with gusts as high as 48 mph at Sheldon.

Winds estimated to be around 70 mph knocked down numerous trees and tore 12-inch diameter branches off numerous other trees around Sanborn.

There was a very sharp gradient in snowfall across the county with the highest amounts across the southeast corner. Snowfall totaled 5.2 inches 4.5 miles north-northwest of Cherokee and 2.5 inches 7.0 miles south of Spencer, while only 0.5 inches was reported at Primghar. Northwe…

Snowfall totaled 3.9 inches at Sanborn and 2.0 inches at Sheldon.

Sustained winds reached from 35 to 39 mph at times with gusts as high as 52 mph at Sheldon.

Snowfall only totaled 2.0 inches at Sheldon and Primghar and 1.2 inches at Sanborn, and northwest winds were sustained from 35 to 39 mph at times with gusts up to 52 mph at Sheldon. Wind and snowfall combined to result in widespread white-out conditions, especially in rural areas…

Winds were sustained at times from 40 to 45 mph with a peak gust of 59 mph at Sheldon.

The lowest wind chills ranged from 35 to 38 below zero with 38 below zero observed at a personal weather station near Hartley. The Sheldon Regional Airport (KSHL) reported a minimum wind chill of 37 below zero.

The lowest wind chills ranged from 35 to 36 below zero with 36 below zero observed at the Sheldon Regional Airport (KSHL).

Snowfall totaled 2.5 inches at Sheldon and 2.4 inches at Sanborn.

The lowest wind chills ranged from 35 to 38 below zero with 38 below zero observed at a personal weather station near Sutherland. The Sheldon Regional Airport (KSHL) reported a minimum wind chill of 35 below zero.

Winds were sustained at times up to 33 mph near Sutherland and 31 mph at Sheldon.

Winds were sustained from 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 58 mph at Sheldon and 46 mph near Sutherland.

Wind gusts up to 46 mph occurred at Sheldon.

Severe (D2) drought at the start of November improved to moderate (D1) status at mid-month with around 3 inches of rainfall during the first half of the month.