A winter storm hit northeast Iowa on December 28th and 29th with heavy snow, sleet and strong winds.  As the storm lifted north out of the Southern Plains states, snow moved into northeast Iowa during the morning of the 28th. For parts of northeast Iowa, the snow was mixed with or completely changed over to sleet during the afternoon and early evening of the 28th. The heaviest snow fell during the late afternoon and early evening of the 28th with 1 to 2 inch per hour rates. This caused a rapid deterioration in road conditions causing travel conditions to quickly become dangerous and some county sheriff departments recommended no travel.  By the time the snow ended on the 29th, totals across northeast Iowa ranged from 6 to 11 inches. The highest reported total was 11.5 inches in Monona (Clayton County). Significant blowing and drifting of the snow occurred as winds gusted into the 25 to 40 mph range.

Winter Storm in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 09:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 07:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 6 to 8 inches of snow across Mitchell County. The highest reported total was 8.5 inches northwest of St. Ansgar. Winds gusting into the 35 to 40 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 09:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 07:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 6 to 10 inches of snow across Winneshiek County. The snow mixed with or completely changed to sleet for a while during the afternoon and early evening of the 28th. The highest reported total was 10.5 inches near Calmar. Winds gusting into the 30 to 35 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 07:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 05:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 5 to 7 inches of snow across Fayette County. The snow mixed with or completely changed to sleet for a while during the afternoon and early evening of the 28th. The highest reported total was 7.3 inches near Oelwein. Winds gusting into the 35 to 50 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in FLOYD, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 09:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 07:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 7 to 10 inches of snow across Floyd County. The highest reported total was 10 inches near Nashua. Winds gusting into the 35 to 40 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 09:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 07:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 6 to 8 inches of snow across Allamakee County. The snow mixed with or completely changed to sleet for a while during the afternoon and early evening of the 28th. The highest reported total was 8 inches in Waukon. Winds gusting into the 30 to 35 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 09:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 06:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 8 to 9 inches of snow across Chickasaw County. The snow mixed with or completely changed to sleet for a while during the afternoon and early evening of the 28th. The highest reported total was 9 inches in New Hampton. Winds gusting into the 30 to 35 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow. Law enforcement officials did not recommend travel during the storm and a tow ban was put into effect for evening of the 28th into the morning of the 29th.

Winter Storm in HOWARD, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 09:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 06:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 6 to 8 inches of snow across Howard County. The snow mixed with or completely changed to sleet for a while during the afternoon and early evening of the 28th. The highest reported total was 8.8 inches in Elma. Winds gusting into the 35 to 40 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Winter Storm in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 28-DEC-15 07:00:00 to 29-DEC-15 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported 6 to 11 inches of snow across Clayton County. The snow mixed with or completely changed to sleet for a while during the afternoon and early evening of the 28th. The highest reported total was 11.5 inches in Monona. Winds gusting into the 30 to 35 mph range created considerable blowing and drifting snow.