Snowfall After Historic Tornado Event

 

Eastern Iowa experienced its second ever tornado event in the month of January on January 16, 2023. The only other occurrence was on January 24, 1967, when 13 tornadoes touched down in the southeastern part of the state. The aftermath of both events were similar but also a bit different. Within two days of the 1967 storm, heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions dropped up to 13 inches in far eastern Iowa, and two feet further east into the Chicago area. 2023 saw a similar pattern, but with less accumulation. Shell Rock Iowa received the most with about 8 inches, with Cedar Rapids receiving much less at 1.8 inches. The following group of images were captured from Boyson Park, at the border with Cedar Rapids and Marion on Thursday afternoon, January 19, 2023. Above is a water level view of Dry Run Creek, with surrounding vegetation flocked with wet, sticky snow.

A natural spring (bottom) bubbles forth and feeds a tributary of Dry Run Creek. The warm water here keeps fringe grass green all year long.

Similar view of the natural spring area.

Deer graze near the edge of Boyson Park as seen from a nearby trail.

Footbridge over Dry Run Creek. Air temperature was 32 degrees F. Nikon D7200 DSLR camera.