Mesoscale Discussion 0104
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0607 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Areas affected...Portions of Iowa

Concerning...Heavy snow 

Valid 200007Z - 200600Z

SUMMARY...Snow rates possibly exceeding 1 inch per hour are expected
from western into central Iowa this evening.

DISCUSSION...Water-vapor imagery suggests significant midlevel
drying is spreading across southeast NE into southern IA, just south
of expected 700mb low track. Latest radar data supports this with a
well-developed corridor of heavy snow currently noted across eastern
NE into western IA. Large-scale ascent is beginning to increase
downstream into central IA, and precipitation is gradually expanding
into this region within the warm advection zone. Forecast soundings
exhibit steep midlevel lapse rates across  central IA, and
reflectively suggests some convective nature with this new
development that is spreading north. Over the next few hours a
southwest-northeast oriented band of heavy snow should establish
itself as the 700mb circulation advances east. Snow rates could
exceed 1 inch per hour at times.

..Darrow.. 02/20/2026

...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...

ATTN...WFO...DVN...ARX...DMX...FSD...OAX...

LAT...LON   41199564 41499378 42119201 43019227 42729386 42109584
            41199564