The second winter storm of the month hit eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa as a complex weather pattern brought a prolonged period of winter weather, including blizzard conditions, to the region around Christmas.  Low pressure aloft in the southern plains lifted northeast into Missouri as another low pressure system dropped south out of Canada.  These two systems then merged over the central United States and eventually pulled Atlantic moisture westward into the plains.  Before they merged, the southern system pulled up gulf moisture and brought areas of freezing rain to southeast Nebraska and 3 to 5 inches of snow to northeast Nebraska on 12/23.  The second system pulled down Arctic Air as north winds gusted between 40 and 50 mph over most of the region.  This not only changed all the precipitation to snow on the 24th, but also brought blizzard conditions to much of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa Christmas Eve and much of Christmas Day as the systems merged.  Snow and blowing snow and occasional blizzard or near-blizzard conditions then continued through much of the 26th.
Snowfall from the storm was 10 to 18 inches over most of eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa.  Heavier totals included around 18 inches in Norfolk, around 16 inches in Neligh and near Little Sioux Iowa, around 15 inches in Columbus, near Verdel Nebraska and Shenandoah Iowa, 14 inches near Gretna, Bennington and Logan Iowa and 13 inches at the NWS in Valley, near Auburn, Fremont, Ft. Calhoun, Wayne, Bloomfield, and Papillion.  President Obama granted disaster declarations for many counties hit by this storm and the ice storm that hit a few days prior.

Winter Storm in MONONA, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 17 inches over the county based on observations from surrounding communities.

Blizzard in POTTAWATTAMIE, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  A peak wind of 47 mph was measured by the Asos at Omaha-Eppley.  This frequently reduced visibilities below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 15 inches over the county with around 14 inches measured near Oakland and around 10 inches measured northeast of Council Bluffs among the highest reported.

Blizzard in SHELBY, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm. This frequently reduced visibilities below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 15 inches over the county with around 11 inches measured near Harlan among the highest reported.

Blizzard in MONTGOMERY, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  This frequently dropped visibilities below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 12 inches over the county with around 11 inches measured in Red Oak among the highest reported.

Blizzard in MILLS, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  This frequently reduced visibilities below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 12 inches over the county with around 10 inches measured in Hastings and Glenwood among the highest reported.

Blizzard in MONONA, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  This frequently reduced visibilities below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 17 inches over the county based on observations from surrounding communities.

Winter Storm in PAGE, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 12:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began around noon on Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off a little after midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts around 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm which also knocked out the power to over 500 homes, some of which remained without power for days afterward.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 16 inches over the county with around 15.5 inches measured in Shenandoah among the highest reported.

Winter Storm in FREMONT, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 12:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began around noon on Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off a little after midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 16 inches over the county with around 15.5 inches measured in Shenandoah and 12 inches measured in Clarinda among the highest reported.

Blizzard in HARRISON, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  This caused frequently visibility reductions below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 17 inches over the county with around 17 inches measured near Little Sioux and 15.5 inches measured in Logan among the highest reported.

Winter Storm in MILLS, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 12 inches over the county with around 10 inches measured in Hastings and Glenwood among the highest reported.

Winter Storm in MONTGOMERY, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 12 inches over the county with around 11 inches measured in Red Oak among the highest reported.

Winter Storm in SHELBY, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 15 inches over the county with around 11 inches measured near Harlan among the highest reported.

Blizzard in PAGE, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began around noon on Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off a little after midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts around 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm. This frequently dropped visibilities below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 16 inches over the county with around 15.5 inches measured in Shenandoah among the highest reported.

Winter Storm in HARRISON, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 17 inches over the county with around 17 inches measured near Little Sioux and 15.5 inches measured in Logan among the highest reported.  Some drifts in the 15 to 20 foot range were observed and it was reported that some farmers outbuildings had collapsed roofs due to the weight of the snow.

Winter Storm in POTTAWATTAMIE, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 27-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began during the morning of Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off around midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  A peak wind of 47 mph was measured by the Asos at Omaha-Eppley.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 10 to 15 inches over the county with around 14 inches measured near Oakland and around 10 inches measured northeast of Council Bluffs among the highest reported.  The snow and strong winds produced snow drifts as high as 18 feet in rural areas.

Blizzard in FREMONT, IOWA
From 24-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A prolonged winter storm/blizzard hit the area closing many rural roads and some highways for a few days.  Snowfall from the storm began around noon on Christmas Eve and lasted well into the 26th with substantial blowing and drifting snow and occasional periods of accumulating snow finally tapering off a little after midnight on the 27th.  Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts over 40 mph occurred for an extended period during the height of the storm.  This frequently reduced visibilities below 1/4 mile, especially in open areas.  Total snowfall from the storm was estimated at 12 to 16 inches over the county with around 15.5 inches measured in Shenandoah and 12 inches measured in Clarinda among the highest reported.