A southwest flow aloft pushed warm air over the top of an existing polar air mass that was in place over Iowa.  Low pressure developed to the southwest and lifted north during the day on the 8th.  The low brought warm and moist air north into the central U.S.  Temperatures climbed into the mid 40s to mid 50s over southern Iowa, while remaining below freezing over the north.  Light precipitation broke out during the afternoon of the 8th in the form of freezing drizzle and freezing rain over the north.  Some snow fell over the far northwest.  The main precipitation held off until the evening as it took some time to saturate the column.  Freezing rain was widespread across the north half of the state with 0.2 inches or more of ice accumulation across a large part of the state north of U.S. Highway 30.  The snow began to transition into sleet and snow over the northwest and a band of heavy snow set up during the evening in the Fort Dodge area and areas to the north and west.  Meanwhile, precipitation continued to fall as freezing rain well into the night over the north central and northeast.  Ice accrued to about 0.3 inches from north of Waterloo into Bremer County.  Roads over the north part of the state became very icy with the freezing rain falling on sub-freezing road surface temperatures.  This caused numerous traffic problems.  The ice also caused spotty power outages as branches fell onto power lines.  During the night, the transition from freezing rain to snow progressed southeast.  Heavy snowfall occurred in the Mason City area and points northeast with over 6 inches recorded.  Elsewhere, snowfall was generally 4 inches or greater north of U.S. Highway 20.  Some of the heavier snowfall totals included, 8 inches in the Algona area, 7 inches in the Ringsted area, and 6 inches in the Lake Mills area toward Mason city, as well as just north of Fort Dodge.  During the event, northerly winds of 20 to 30 MPH caused considerable drifting of snow and areas of blowing snow.  The combination of the snow, blowing snow, and ice coating resulted in the cancellation of many activities and numerous school closings.

Winter Storm in EMMET, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in PALO ALTO, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in POCAHONTAS, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in KOSSUTH, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in HUMBOLDT, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in WINNEBAGO, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in HANCOCK, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in WRIGHT, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in WORTH, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in HARDIN, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in BUTLER, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in BREMER, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 08-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement