Cedar Rapids, Iowa — A fast-moving snow band dropped up to 2.5 inches across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois, creating slippery road conditions Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service Quad Cities office, the quick-hitting snow event mainly affected areas north of Interstate 80 between approximately 9 p.m. Monday and 3 a.m. Tuesday. The most persistent snowfall occurred along the U.S. Highway 30 corridor, where totals commonly ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Walnut, Illinois, recorded the highest reported total at 2.5 inches. Northwest Cedar Rapids measured 2.2 inches, while Deer Grove, Illinois, and De Witt, Iowa, each reported 2.0 inches. Clinton, Iowa, saw about 1.7 inches, and snowfall amounts tapered farther north toward Dubuque, where totals ranged from a half inch to one inch.
The National Weather Service said the event was brief but intense, with conditions favorable for rapid snowfall rates. Forecasters noted that the atmosphere quickly saturated in the dendritic growth zone, producing larger snowflakes and sudden reductions in visibility described as “pouring snow.”
Iowa Department of Transportation cameras in Cedar Rapids and Anamosa showed snow-covered roadways late Monday evening, with visibility significantly reduced during the heaviest bursts. While snowfall amounts were modest, the quick accumulation led to slick travel conditions, especially on untreated roads, bridges, and ramps.
Snowfall ended before daybreak Tuesday, and no additional accumulation is expected from this system. Road conditions improved Tuesday morning as crews treated affected highways, though some icy patches remained during the early commute.
The event served as a reminder that even short-duration snow bands can create hazardous travel, particularly for overnight drivers and early-morning commuters.
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