Rain, Sleet, Snow and Cold--Same Day

Air temperature in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 4, 2021 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa was a mild 37 degrees F--but that was about to change. In a couple of hours it began to rain. Shortly thereafter the rain changed to freezing rain and sleet, and soon to snow. Winds blowing in access of 30 mph created white-out conditions, hampering travel on already slick roadways. Above, I am northbound on Interstate 380 at Exit 18, approaching the downtown area at 2:07 pm CST. Traffic was moving at a slow 40-45 mph pace. Air temperature was 21 degrees F, and winds were NW at 33 mph.

Radar image corresponding to the photograph above it, including the target icon indicating my position.

2:08 pm. Approaching the S-curve and downtown. Electronic sign warns of the winter storm.

2:10 pm. On the dangerous S-curve, with the Quaker Oats plant seen in the background.

2:14 pm. Continuing north on I-380. Electronic sign just north of the 29th Street/Coldstream Avenue exits, warning of a crash north of Toddville, Iowa, which turned out to be a jackknifed semi truck that blocked both lanes. iPhone 6-Plus camera. 

5:00 pm. Storm has passed, the skies are clearing, and the temperature is dropping (17 degrees F)! This image looks west toward Bowman Woods Park in Cedar Rapids. A total of six more inches of snow fell from this storm. Nikon D7200 DSLR camera.