While most of Iowa received much needed rain in the past two weeks, parts of northern Iowa saw their first snowfall of the 2024-25 winter season. A northwest Iowa CO-OP observer reported 1.7” of snow in Sibley. Just to the south, a CO-OP observer reported only 0.1”.
If you are wondering, “was this an earlier than normal first snowfall,” look no further! The first 1” of snowfall refers to the days of the winter season when the first 1” of snowfall typically occurs at a given location. According to data from 1981-2010, the normal date for the first 1” snowfall in northwest Iowa is November 10-17. These are the earliest dates for the normal first 1” snowfall in Iowa, with the first inch of snow typically falling later in southeastern Iowa. The latest first snowfall typically occurs in southeastern Iowa between December 12-19. So yes, the first 1” snowfall for the 2024-45 winter season in northwest Iowa was sooner than normal. Annual average snowfall ranges from 18-42 inches across the state. You can find more maps for Iowa on the Iowa Climate Normals Maps page from the National Weather Service.
