This Day in Weather History January 1

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

1942: From New Year’s Eve 1941 into New Year’s Day 1942 a severe winter storm dumped heavy snowfall from southwestern Iowa through the northeastern corner of the state. Snowfall amounts of 10 to 20 inches were common from Page County to Black Hawk County. The highest accumulation was 19.8 inches of snow at Des Moines which remains the 24 hour snowfall record at that location. Other storm total snowfall amounts included 19.0 inches at Indianola, 15.5 inches at Jefferson, 14.5 inches at Rockwell City, 14.0 inches at Ames and Mount Ayr, and 13.2 inches at Waterloo. Most highways were blocked by the heavy snowfall and deep drifts and it was not until the 3rd that most of the principal arteries were opened to one way traffic.

Source: National Weather Service