December 2000 was notable for the record cold conditions across the upper Midwest.  Much of the month was characterized by a persistent northwest flow pattern, which produced repeated significant outbreaks of bitterly cold Arctic air.  National Weather Service records indicate the average temperature for December was the coldest on record in the Quad Cities, and the third coldest in Dubuque.  Numerous other communities throughout eastern Iowa also set new monthly temperature records.  A number of daily record low temperatures were established as well.  In the Quad Cities, it was the coldest Christmas day on record, as the mercury dropped to -18.  The extreme cold temperatures combined with occasional high winds to produce dangerous wind chills to 60 below zero.  The extreme cold was the unofficial cause of death of a western Iowa resident who had fallen outside his home during sub-freezing weather.

Cold/Wind Chill in SCOTT, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in JACKSON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in JONES, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in LEE, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in LINN, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in LOUISA, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in BENTON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in CLINTON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in HENRY, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in CEDAR, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Cold/Wind Chill in IOWA, IOWA
From 01-DEC-00 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.