Extreme Cold in Iowa, December 16 to 17, 2000

In the wake of the ice storm that hit the region on 12/15 and 12/16, a powerful Arctic cold front swept through the area from the northern Rockies during the afternoon of 12/16. The front brought blizzard conditions to portions of western and central Iowa, but the earlier ice coating across eastern Iowa, western Illinois, and far northeast Missouri all but eliminated the problem of blowing and drifting snow. Snowfall amounts across the area were light as the front moved through, and area law enforcement reported only a few visibility problems on rural roads, and minimal drifting. The main problem was dangerously cold wind chill values, as a strong northwest wind gusting to 35 miles an hour buffeted the area in the wake of the system's low pressure center. Wind chill values dipped to 25 to 40 below by evening on 12/16, and dropped to 30 to 50 below early on 12/17. The bitterly cold wind chills persisted through much of the day, before the center of low pressure exited the area to the east.