Heavy Snow in Iowa, December 19, 1999

After an extended period of very warm and dry weather, the first significant snowfall of the season occurred in Iowa. Low pressure passed north of the state as an Arctic cold front trailing from the low swept southeast across the state. Light snow began during the late morning hours of the 19th and increased in intensity during the afternoon hours. Nearly all of Iowa reported at least some snow. The heaviest snow fell over the southwest quarter of the state. Four to six inch amounts were common in a band extending from southwest into the central counties. Surrounding this band, one to three inch snowfall amouts were common over the rest of the state. The heaviest snow accumulation was reported in Bedford, with 6.3 inches. The snow resulted in a large number of traffic accidents as temperatures were at or a little above freezing at the inception of the event. In the wake of the Arctic front, temperatures fell rapidly into the low to mid 20s resulting in considerable icing on roadways.