A general southwest flow aloft was in place over the central U.S. with the mean upper level trough over the western U.S. and a weak mean ridge axis just east of Iowa.  A strong short wave rounded the base of the western trough and lifted northeast through the upper midwest during the day on the 13th.  The surface low was well to the south, with the track running across Oklahoma, through southern Missouri.  The system produced very strong warm air advection and thus strong lift over Iowa during the day on the 13th.  Snow developed to the west of Iowa, and developed east rapidly during the day.  There was marked instability aloft, and the event became convective during the day.  This resulted in a band of heavy snowfall extending from southwest into central Iowa.  The system weakened as it moved farther east.  The heaviest snowfall occurred with convective banding in central Iowa.  The Des Moines International Airport received 7.6 inches of snow, for the greatest total.  West Des Moines had 7.4 inches, and 6.8 inches were recorded at both Windsor Heights and the west side of Des Moines proper.

Heavy Snow in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 10:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy Snow in DALLAS, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 12:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Heavy Snow in POLK, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 12:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Heavy Snow in JASPER, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 14:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy Snow in MARION, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 14:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy Snow in LUCAS, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 14:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy Snow in CASS, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 10:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy Snow in ADAMS, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 10:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy Snow in UNION, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 10:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy Snow in MADISON, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 12:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy Snow in WARREN, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 12:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy Snow in CLARKE, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 12:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy Snow in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 10:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy Snow in ADAIR, IOWA
From 13-FEB-09 10:00:00 to 13-FEB-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement