A powerful low pressure system tracked across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region during the evening hours of December 10th into the morning hours of December 12th. This brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions across portions of northeast Iowa. At least one indirect injury occurred in a car accident that was the result of slippery conditions after the storm. Volunteer cooperative observers measured snowfall amounts of 12 inches at Waukon (Allamakee County), 9.5 inches near Cresco (Howard County) and at Decorah (Winneshiek County), 8 inches at St. Ansgar (Mitchell County) and 7 inches at Ionia (Chickasaw County). In addition to the heavy snow, sustained wind speeds of 25 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 miles per hour caused whiteout conditions, widespread road closures, stranded motorists and power outages.

Blizzard in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 10-DEC-10 23:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 1.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard conditions led to numerous vehicle accidents around the county.  Power outages were reported in the small community of Freeport as well.  Slippery roads also led to an accident several days later (December 15th) near Decorah. A single car accident at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and State Highway 9 caused injuries to the driver of the vehicle, who was transported to a local hospital. A total of 9.5 inches of snow was measured in Decorah with this storm.

Blizzard in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 10-DEC-10 23:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous accidents were reported and several vehicles were stuck on roadways. In addition to about 7 inches of new snow, white out conditions also occurred.

Blizzard in FLOYD, IOWA
From 10-DEC-10 23:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 13:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Roadways were closed across much of the county due to heavy snow and white out conditions.  The Waukon area received about 12 inches of snow.

Blizzard in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 10-DEC-10 23:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard conditions led to seven known accidents and rougly thirty-nine vehicles to end up in ditches.  Power outages were also reported in the cities of Wadena and Oelwein.

Blizzard in HOWARD, IOWA
From 10-DEC-10 23:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard conditions led to at least twenty-seven vehicles becoming stuck in roadways or in ditches. Around the Cresco area, 9.5 inches of new snow was measured in addition to significant wind and drifting.

Blizzard in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 10-DEC-10 23:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

An observer in St. Ansgar reported 8 inches of new snow.  White out conditions were common with wind gusts above 40 mph and heavy snow for several hours.

Blizzard in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 13:08:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 33.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Several accidents occurred across the county due to snow and ice covered roadways. Roadways remained snow and ice covered several days after the blizzard and caused many additional accidents.