A powerful arctic cold front swept across the region on December 20-21, 2008. Ahead of the front, 1 to 3 inches of fluffy snow fell during the afternoon of December 20. The snow was confined to locations in Iowa and Illinois along and north of Interstate 80. After this snowfall ended by evening, snow depths north of Highway 34 ranged from 5 to 12 inches. With the passage of the arctic cold front, northwest winds gradually increased to 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph late in the evening on December 20 through the day on December 21. This created ground blizzard conditions with frequent whiteouts as visibilities were reduced to 1/4 mile or less, especially in rural and open areas. Some drifts on highways were as high as 6 feet. With temperatures below zero, wind chill readings were as low as 30 to 40 below zero. The combination of blizzard conditions and very cold temperatures made for a potentially dangerous situation.

Blizzard in LOUISA, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 09:30:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 09:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in SCOTT, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 08:30:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in JONES, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 00:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 09:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in LINN, IOWA
From 20-DEC-08 17:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in IOWA, IOWA
From 20-DEC-08 08:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in JACKSON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 02:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 09:30:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 09:30:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in BENTON, IOWA
From 20-DEC-08 17:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported drifts as high as 6 feet on Highway 30 3 miles southwest of Keystone during the afternoon on Sunday December 21.

Blizzard in CLINTON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 08:30:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 20-DEC-08 17:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in CEDAR, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 09:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 20-DEC-08 23:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 21-DEC-08 02:00:00 to 21-DEC-08 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter