Could be worse:
An unprecedented late-season blizzard hit Iowa on
May 27–29, 1947, dumping up to 10 inches of heavy, wet snow, mainly across northern and western parts of the state. This event is recognized as the latest and one of the most severe May snowstorms in Iowa history, with Le Mars recording 10 inches, and areas like Cherokee and Allamakee County seeing 7–8 inches. [
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Key Details of the May 1947 Iowa Snowstorm:
- Record Snowfall: Le Mars recorded 10 inches, the highest amount ever recorded in Iowa in late May, a record that stood until 2013.
- Affected Areas: The heaviest snow fell across northwestern and north-central Iowa. Other recorded totals included 8 inches in Cherokee and 7.5 inches in Waukon.
- Impact: The wet, heavy snow damaged trees, snapped power lines, and halted transportation. The storm caused significant agricultural losses, including damage to young crops and death of livestock, specifically thousands of calves and piglets.
- Weather Conditions: A dramatic drop in temperatures, falling into the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit from previous temperatures in the 60s and 70s, allowed the storm to dump snow rather than rain.
or
A historic, record-setting snowstorm occurred in Iowa from May 1–3, 2013, with up to 13 inches of heavy, wet snow falling in northern areas, particularly in Osage, shattering previous state records for May snowfall. Other top totals included 12 inches in Chariton, 11 inches in Britt, and 10.7 inches in Northwood. [
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Key Details of the May 2013 Iowa Snowstorm:
- Top Totals: Osage recorded 13 inches, and Chariton saw 12 inches.
- Regional Impact: Northern Iowa and central Iowa were hardest hit, with many areas receiving over 6 inches.
- Des Moines Record: Des Moines International Airport recorded 6.9 inches of snow on May 2-3, 2013, setting a new record for the highest 2-day snowfall in May.
