A strong area of low pressure moved out of the Central Plains into Illinois and the Great Lakes region on December 19th and 20th. As this storm moved by, it produced a period of blizzard conditions during the morning and afternoon of the 20th as sustained north winds of 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts created poor visibility from falling and blowing snow. Impacts from the blizzard included closed roads, trapped vehicles, power outages, region wide school closings on the 20th with some schools remaining closed on the 21st or started 2 hours late. The accumulating snow first started moving into the region during the middle of the evening on the 19th with accumulations reaching winter storm criteria of 6 inches between midnight and 6 a.m. on the 20th. The highest reported snow total was 15.2 inches in Strawberry Point (Clayton County). National Guard troops were activated across the state to help rescue stranded drivers. The Iowa Dept. of Transportation stated that travel was not advised across the majority of the state from 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 19th through Thursday the 20th. A tow ban was also in place for much of the state during the storm.

Blizzard in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 06:15:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Mitchell County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed. The highest reported snow total was 6.0 inches in Riceville.

Blizzard in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 07:20:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Winneshiek County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed. The highest reported snow total was 6.5 inches in Ossian. A recently used snow blower was stored in the basement of a Decorah home. Heat from the snow blower started a fire that caused extensive damage to the home.

Blizzard in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 08:30:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Allamakee County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed. The highest reported snow total was 9.0 inches in Waukon.

Blizzard in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 06:30:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Chickasaw County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed. The highest reported snow total was 6.0 inches in New Hampton and North Washington.

Blizzard in FLOYD, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Floyd County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed.

Blizzard in HOWARD, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 06:25:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Howard County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed.

Blizzard in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 08:03:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Clayton County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed. The highest reported snow total was 15.2 inches in Strawberry Point.

Blizzard in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 20-DEC-12 07:03:00 to 20-DEC-12 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North winds between 25 and 35 mph with higher gusts, created a period of blizzard conditions across Fayette County during the morning and afternoon of the 20th. As a result of the blizzard, roads were closed, vehicles became trapped in the snow, some power outages occurred and all schools in the county were closed. The highest reported snow total was 10.5 inches in Oelwein.