A blizzard struck portions of eastern Iowa and western Illinois on December 11-12, 2010. A strong upper level disturbance and powerful jet stream began diving out of the northern Rockies.  Low pressure then formed across the northern Plains and tracked into western Iowa.  This cyclone then intensified considerably as it pushed into northern Illinois. Even though snowfall was generally only in the 1 to 4 inch range, strong winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph generated blizzard conditions in some locations.  The worst blizzard conditions were observed west of Interstate 380/Highway 218 in eastern Iowa, and also in portions of western Illinois. Roads were impassable and drifts several feet high which stranded some motorists.  The strong winds also toppled a tree onto a house in Marion, Iowa and flipped a metal shed off its cement foundation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Winter Weather in LOUISA, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in SCOTT, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 21:30:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in CLINTON, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 12-DEC-10 00:15:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 12-DEC-10 00:30:00 to 12-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in LEE, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 23:45:00 to 12-DEC-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in LINN, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 19:05:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Cedar Rapids reported strong winds flipped a metal shed off it's cement foundatation at 0400 CST during an intense winter storm.  Also, KCRG-TV reported a tree fell onto a house in Marion at 0100 CST due to wind gusts to 50 mph. The tree fell right over the window of their baby's room who was not injured.

Winter Weather in HENRY, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 23:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in IOWA, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported visibility less than a quarter of a mile in blowing snow, with whiteout conditions at 2246 CDT.  The spotter reported he had never seen conditions deteriorate this rapidly in 55 years.

Winter Weather in JACKSON, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 22:30:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 22:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 21:55:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 21:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter in Edgewood estimated snowfall of 6.5 inches.

Blizzard in BENTON, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 18:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter 3 miles southeast of Keystone reported whiteout conditions with 2 to 3 foot drifts at 0350 CST. Wind gusts were measured at 54 mph.

Blizzard in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 18:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in CEDAR, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 21:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 21:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 21:55:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in JONES, IOWA
From 11-DEC-10 20:30:00 to 12-DEC-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter