Precipitation was frequent through the month.   Storm systems bringing rain, freezing rain, sleet and/or snow came through the state nearly every other day through the 27th.   The largest event of the month came on the 18th-19th with a statewide average of 4.7 inches of snow and 0.69 inches of precipitation.   This mid-month storm brought heavy snow to northern Iowa with a band of 6 to 12 inches of snow stretching from near Sioux City east-northeastward into Wisconsin.   The storm brought from one-quarter to two-thirds of an inch of freezing rain to south central and southeast Iowa.   Other events brought several inches of snow on the 3rd, 8th-9th, 14th, 16th, 20th, 22nd-23rd, 24th and 27th.   Snowfall was most frequent over northeastern Iowa where Waukon reported 34.9 inches of snow for the month. Parts of southwest Iowa recorded less snow than normal with only 3.5 inches falling at Glenwood.   Monthly precipitation totals were about double normal over much of northern and eastern Iowa with Burlington reporting 4.20 inches.   Overall this was the fourth snowiest December among 122 years of state snow records.   A very deep and moisture-rich snow pack covered most of Iowa until very warm and humid air advanced across southern and eastern areas on the 26th and 27th. An intense low pressure lifted northeast through the region, drawing unseasonably to near record warm air north into Iowa, combined with dew points in the 50s.  The airmass moved over the snow cover and quickly melted most of the southern Iowa snow cover and broke up the ice in many rivers.   The rapid snow melt, supplemented by rainfall of up to an inch, and a few ice jams, brought flooding to many rivers across southeastern Iowa.   Nevertheless, anywhere from 2 to 12 inches of snow remained on the ground at year���s end over the northern one-third of the state.  For the most part, flooding was relatively minor and restricted to agricultural lands.  One exception was in the Des Moines Metro area, where the Raccoon River closed roads and flooded several businesses.

Flood in MARION, IOWA
From 27-DEC-08 12:55:00 to 28-DEC-08 09:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUSSEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 27-DEC-08 18:42:00 to 29-DEC-08 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DSM)DES MOINES INTL
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 29-DEC-08 16:15:00 to 30-DEC-08 03:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DSM)DES MOINES INTL
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 27-DEC-08 16:15:00 to 29-DEC-08 01:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DSM)DES MOINES INTL
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in LUCAS, IOWA
From 26-DEC-08 21:13:00 to 31-DEC-08 08:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSSELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in DECATUR, IOWA
From 27-DEC-08 11:53:00 to 27-DEC-08 18:39:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations