A major winter storm system affected a large part of the central U.S. during the 5th and 6th.  Heavy snow fell over the southeast half of Iowa with this storm.  The system had some freezing rain and sleet during the day on the 5th into the evening hours.  Freezing rain accretions were generally quite light, under one tenth of an inch.  The freezing rain was mainly southeast of a Lamoni to Grinnell line.  A cold front moved through the state and became nearly stationary to the southeast of Iowa.  During this time, a large upper level trough of low pressure was located over the western U.S.  Several short waves lifted northeast out of the trough and resulted in a prolonged winter event.  Initially, a short wave lifted northeast across the central U.S. and brought a broad band of overrunning precipitation.  Warm air was still in place aloft over the southeast part of Iowa, resulting in mixed precipitation.  Snow fell from the late morning hours through much of the afternoon.  There was a break in the action as low pressure formed along the frontal boundary in response to the next short wave.  The low advanced northeast along the front and moved from north Texas into Indiana during the afternoon of the 5th into the day on the 6th.  At the same time, the main upper level low lifted northeast through Kansas during the early morning hours of the 6th.  A surface low developed over northeast Arkansas, and lifted north into central Illinois.  Strong lift was generated over Iowa during the early morning hours of the 6th.  Banded heavy snow resulted from this lift, including some thunder snow.  The heaviest band of snow occurred from south central into east central Iowa.  During the early morning hours of the 6th, snow fell at the rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour in this band.  By the morning of the 6th, snow and blowing snow caused significant disruptions in traffic and many activities, including nearly all schools, were canceled.  A large area of Iowa received more than 8 inches of snow with many areas picking up over a foot.  Interestingly enough, in the Oskaloosa area of Mahaska County, 12 inches of snow fell in the same areas where 12 to 15 inches had fallen just 60 to 72 hours prior.  As a result of the heavy snow accumulation in that area, two roof collapses were reported.  The roof of a trucking firm in Oskaloosa collapsed around 0300 CST on the morning of the 6th.  Three trucks were damaged by the collapse.  A nearby farmstead reported the collapse of a machine shed roof, damaging the building as well as the tractor housed inside.  As the low lifting north from Arkansas intensified, north winds increased.  Wind speeds were in the 15 to 25 MPH range, with frequent gusts to around 30 MPH or so.  Reports of significant blowing and drifting of snow were received from County Officials as temperatures dropped into the low to mid 20s and the snow became more fluffy.  Many roads were difficult or impossible to navigate.  Some of the heavier snowfall totals included 18 inches in Marion County at Pleasantville, 12.5 inches in Monroe County at Lovilia and Albia, 12 inches in Mahaska County at Oskaloosa, 12 inches in Lucas County north of Chariton, 11 inches in Warren County at New Virginia, and 10.2 inches in Ringgold County north of Mount Ayr.

Winter Storm in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in DECATUR, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in WAYNE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in DAVIS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in UNION, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in CLARKE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in LUCAS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Winter Storm in MONROE, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in WAPELLO, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in MADISON, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 10:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Winter Storm in WARREN, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Winter Storm in MARION, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Winter Storm in MAHASKA, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The roof of a trucking firm collapsed due to the weight of heavy snow accumulation in Oskaloosa around 0300 CST on the 6th.  A nearby farm building also collapsed due to heavy snow.

Winter Storm in DALLAS, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in POLK, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Winter Storm in JASPER, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 11:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in POWESHIEK, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in TAMA, IOWA
From 05-FEB-08 12:00:00 to 06-FEB-08 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer