'Snow event' is state's third-largest since 1950

The storm that brought more than a foot of snow to many parts of Iowa now ranks as the state's third-largest snow event since 1950, and the largest since 1971, state climatologist Harry Hillaker said today.

The total for the current storm could change slightly as more data comes in, but shouldn't change dramatically, Hillaker said.

The spring blizzard of April 1973, remembered as being especially severe by many local residents, ranks seventh on Hillaker's list.

Here's his list of the top 10 snow events since 1950:

1.         March 10-14, 1951         14.3 inches

2.         January 2-4, 1971          10.4

3.         December 7-9, 2009       10.2

4.         March 4-6, 1959               9.5

5.         January 11-13, 1979         8.6

6.         January 4-6, 2005            8.5

7.         April 8-9, 1973                 8.5

8.         February 17-18, 1962       7.8

9.         January 26, 1996             7.7

10.        March 1-3, 2007               6.7