An area of high pressure was located across New England and New York on the morning of December 11th.  Meanwhile, complex low pressure that originated in the Mississippi River, traveled north along the Mid-Atlantic Coast during the morning of December 11th.  This low quickly raced up the coast and was located over Long Island by the morning of December 12th and Downeast Maine by the afternoon. This system tapped into mild, moist Atlantic air which then traveled above the colder air mass entrenched across the region.
Precipitation began and predominantly fell as freezing rain across southern Vermont from late afternoon of the 11th through the morning of the 12th. Snow began across central and northern Vermont during the night of the 11th, then changed over to freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet across central and northern Vermont early on December 12th, before it changed back to a brief period of snow prior to ending around midday.
Combined snow and sleet accumulation in central and northern Vermont ranged from 5 to 9 inches along with a glaze coating of ice.  Ice accumulation across southern Vermont ranged from one quarter to one half an inch.  This storm caused hazardous driving conditions, numerous school closings, civic and government closings, and power outages on the evening of December 11th and during the day on December 12th.

Winter Storm in ESSEX, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 20:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in WESTERN CHITTENDEN, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Winter Storm in WESTERN FRANKLIN, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Winter Storm in ORLEANS, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in CALEDONIA, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in GRAND ISLE, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in EASTERN CHITTENDEN, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Winter Storm in LAMOILLE, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in WESTERN RUTLAND, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 17:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in WINDSOR, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 16:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in EASTERN ADDISON, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in EASTERN RUTLAND, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 16:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in WESTERN ADDISON, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in ORANGE, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 17:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in EASTERN FRANKLIN, VERMONT
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer