Record snowfalls in Iowa history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of '78, the , any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms鈥攖he kind you measure all other snowy days against鈥攁re .
Despite shorter, warmer winters鈥攄riven by climate change鈥攊n many areas, blizzards are predicted to become more frequent and intense. Since warmer air holds more moisture, more snow is likely to fall when temperatures are just below freezing versus when temperatures are significantly below the 32 degrees Fahrenheit freezing point.
Warmer-than-normal winter air is impacting nearly every region of the U.S., according to a 2024 study by Climate Central. For every the air holds 4% more moisture, creating the right conditions for intense snowfall.
compiled a list of the biggest 1-day snowfalls in Iowa using data from the to better understand historical snowfall events on a local level. Only one record snowfall for each county was included in the list.
March 19, 1933 (Winnebago County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
December 9, 2009 (Polk County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
February 26, 1912 (Page County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
November 30, 1934 (Benton County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
February 18, 1962 (Lyon County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
March 8, 1961 (Clayton County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
February 26, 1912 (Marion County)
- 1-day snowfall: 20.0 inches
March 6, 1959 (Fayette County)
- 1-day snowfall: 21.0 inches
February 18, 1962 (Osceola County)
- 1-day snowfall: 21.0 inches
April 20, 1918 (Taylor County)
- 1-day snowfall: 24.0 inches
