A strong winter storm brought widespread snow to the region Thursday, with amounts  between 1 to 4 inches.  Some higher totals near 6 inches were reported in eastern Linn and Cedar counties.  Strong winds also accompanied the snow, which caused significant blowing and drifting, especially in rural areas.  Many accidents were reported on Interstate 80, causing frequent backups.  Even stronger winds were observed on Friday across the area.  Wind gusts between 40-50 mph were common, creating ground blizzard conditions primarily along and north of Interstate 80.
Additionally, temperatures dropped sharply behind the arctic cold front on Thursday and continued to fall throughout the day.  Single digit temperatures with wind chills between -20 and -40 degrees were common.

Winter Storm in HENRY, IOWA
From 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer 1 mile south of Salem reported 1.5 inches of snow.  Winds quickly increased with gusts of 40 to 50 MPH which led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. This led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. A peak gust of 41 MPH was reported at the Mount Pleasant Airport.. Additionally, this also produced wind chills of -20 to -30. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Winter Storm in LOUISA, IOWA
From 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRAHS observer 3 miles east southeast of Amber reported 1.5 inches of snow. Winds quickly increased with a gusts of 40 to 50 MPH which led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. Additionally, this also produced wind chills of -20 to -30. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Winter Storm in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRAHS observer 2 miles southwest of Yarmouth reported 2.0 inches of snow.  Winds quickly increased with gusts of 40 to 50 MPH which led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. the peak measured gust at the Burlington Airport was 49 MPH. Additionally, this also produced wind chills of -20 to -30. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Winter Storm in LEE, IOWA
From 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports ranged from a COOP observer report in Donnellson of 1.5 inches to a public report of 2.0 inches in Keokuk. Winds quickly increased with gusts up to 40 to 50 MPH which led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. Additionally, this also produced wind chills of -20 to -30. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Blizzard in BENTON, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Freshly fallen snow, combined with strong northwest winds sustained between 20 to 30 knots and gusts up to 37 knots during the afternoon produced blizzard conditions across the county.  Numerous spotter reports, web and snowplow cameras showed blizzard conditions outside of cities and towns.

Winter Storm in BENTON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports ranged from 1.6 inches by a COOP observer 1 mile east northeast of Vinton to 2.5 inches by a CoCoRAHS observer 2 miles north northwest of Mount Auburn. Winds increased with gusts up to 30 MPH leading to some blowing and drifting snow.

Blizzard in CLINTON, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The COOP Observer in Clinton reported 3.0 inches of snow. A trained spotter northeast of Clinton reported 1.9 inches of snow. Winds increased on the 22nd with gusts over 40 to 50 MPH which produced blizzard conditions especially in rural and open areas for several hours. The wind chill values at the Clinton Airport was as cold as -30.

Blizzard in CEDAR, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP Observer in Lowden reported 6.1 inches of snow had fallen the previous day. Winds increased on the 22nd with gusts over 40 to 50 MPH which produced blizzard conditions especially in rural and open areas for several hours. The wind chill values ranged from -26 at a CWOP site in Tipton to -37 at at a personal weather station 0.6 miles west of Lowden.

Blizzard in JONES, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow fall reports from previous day showed 3.0 to 4.6 inches had fallen in Jones County. wind gust reports from across the area of 40 to 50 MPH. A CWOP site in Olin reported a peak wind gust of 49 MPH. These winds led to widespread blowing and drifting snow across the area that produced blizzard conditions. In addition to blizzard conditions, these winds produced dangerous wind chills. Anamosa had a minimum wind chill of -32.

Blizzard in LINN, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reports from the previous down showed that 3 to 5 inches had fallen in Linn County. There were widespread wind gusts of 45 to 55 MPH in Linn County. A peak wind gust of 52 MPH was recorded by the ASOS at the Cedar Rapids Airport. This led to widespread blowing and drifting snow with blizzard conditions especially during the afternoon of the 23rd. This also produced minimum wind chill of -29.

Blizzard in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports from the previous day ranged from 3 to 4 inches of snow. Peak wind gusts ranged from 45 to 55 MPH. There was a measured gusts of 52 MPH at the Independence Airport as well as CWOP site in Independence.  This led to widespread blowing and drifting snow across the area resulting in blizzard conditions.  Wind chills were also dangerously cold with a minimum wind chill at the Independence of -32.

Blizzard in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow fall reports ranged from 2.5 to 3.5 inches across the county. Peak wind gusts ranged from 40 to 50 MPH with a peak wind gust at the Manchester Airport of 49 MPH. This led to widespread blowing and drifting snow across the area resulting in blizzard conditions across the area. These winds also produced a wind chill of -23 in Manchester.

Blizzard in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Snowfall reports from the previous day ranged from 2.9 to 3.8 inches across the county. Peak wind gusts ranged from 40 to 50 across the region with a peak wind gust at the Dubuque Airport of 49 MPH. This  led to widespread blowing and drifting snow leading to widespread blizzard conditions. The minimum wind chill at the Dubuque Airport was -31.

Blizzard in JACKSON, IOWA
From 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall reports across the county ranged from 4 to 5 inches. Peak wind gusts across eastern Iowa ranged from 40 to 50 MPH.  There was a peak gust at the DeWitt RWIS site of 43 MPH. This led to widespread blowing and drifting snow resulting in blizzard conditions across the county. A minimum wind chill of -23 was reported in Maquoketa.

Winter Storm in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports ranged from 3.0 inches by the COOP observer 4 miles west of Stanley to 4.0 inches in independence by the Emergency Manager. winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall reports ranged from 2.5 inches by a CoCoRAHS observer 1 mile northeast of Dundee to 3.2 inches 1 mile south southeast of Manchester by a COOP observer. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in LINN, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports ranged from 4.0 inches by a trained spotter in Lisbon to 5.0 inches by a trained spotter 2 miles west southwest of Marian. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in JONES, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports ranged from 3.5 inches by the COOP observer 1 mile west northwest of Monticello Municipal Airport to 4.6 inches by a trained spotter in Anamosa. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in CEDAR, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Lowden reported 6.1 inches of snow. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 23-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The official NWS observation the Dubuque Airport recorded 2.9 inches. A CoCoRAHS observer reported 3.8 inches of snow 2 mile southeast of east Dubuque. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in JACKSON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer 1 mile west of Maquoketa reported 5.0 inches of snow. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in CLINTON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 22-DEC-22 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS snowfall reports ranged from 1.9 inches 1.7 mile north northwest of Clinton to 3.0 inches 2 miles west northwest of Charlotte. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below zero.

Winter Storm in IOWA, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall reports ranged from 3.0 inches from a trained spotter in North English to 4.3 inches from the COOP observer 1 mile east of Williamsburg. The COOP observer reported 4.0 inches. Winds increased with gusts up to 35 MPH leading to reduced visibilities from blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures also dropped quickly with cold winds chills below as cold as -30.

Winter Storm in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall reports ranged from 3.0 inches from the COOP observer 3 miles southeast of Iowa City Municipal Airport to 4.0 inches by a CoCoRAhS observer 2 miles east of Iowa City. A CoCoRAHS observer also reported 3.0 inches near North Liberty. Winds increased quickly with gusts up to 52 MPH reported at the Iowa City Airport. This led to reduced visibility and blowing and drifting snow. Additionally, this produced wind chills as cold as -26. The coldest wind chills occurred on the evening of the 23rd.

Winter Storm in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall reports ranged from a public report of 1.5 inches 1 mile east southeast of Muscatine to 3.0 inches from a COOP observer 4 miles north northeast of Muscatine.. Winds increased quickly with gusts up to 45 MPH reported at the Muscatine Airport. This led to reduced visibility and blowing and drifting snow. Additionally, this produced wind chills as cold as -25. The coldest wind chills occurred on the evening of the 23rd.

Winter Storm in SCOTT, IOWA
From 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The official snowfall at the Davenport Municipal Airport was 2.3 inches. Other snowfall reports ranged from 2.6 inches by a CoCoRAHS observer in Park View to a CoCoRAHS report of 3.2 inches by a CoCoRAHS observer 1 mile southeast of Davenport. Winds quickly increased with a gusts up to 53 MPH at the Davenport Municipal Airport. This led to blowing and drifting snow across the area.  Additionally, this also produced wind chills as cold as -27. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Winter Storm in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Sigourney reported 3.2 inches of snow. Winds quickly increased with a gusts up to 47 MPH in Sigourney. This led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. Additionally, this also produced wind chills as cold as -24. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall reports ranged from 2.3 inches from a a CoCoRAHS observer 3 miles west of Richmond to 3.0 inches from a COOP observer 2 miles south southwest of Washington. Winds quickly increased with a gusts up to 48 MPH at the Washington Airport. This led to widespread blowing and drifting snow. Additionally, this also produced wind chills as cold as -25. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Winter Storm in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 21-DEC-22 18:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer 1 mile north northeast of Fairfield reported 1.5 inches of snow Winds quickly increased with a gusts up to 44 MPH at the Fairfield  Airport. This led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. Additionally, this also produced wind chills as cold as -24. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.

Winter Storm in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 22-DEC-22 00:00:00 to 24-DEC-22 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Two CoCoRAHS observers near Farmington reported 1.0 inches of snow. Winds quickly increased with gusts of 40 to 50 MPH across eastern Iowa which led to blowing and drifting snow across the area. Additionally, this also produced wind chills of -20 to -30. The coldest wind chills occurred on the 23rd.