Heavy Snow in Missouri, December 18 to 19, 2000

Another Alberta Clipper storm system moved southeast into the plains during the early morning hours of 12/18. The storm, coupled with a strong upper-level jet, brought more significant snow to the area, beginning before sunrise in northeast Iowa, and spreading in northeast Missouri through the day. Along and north of the Interstate 80 corridor, 3 to 5 inch snowfall totals were common, with some isolated amounts near 6 inches, before the snow tapered to flurries Monday night. Across Clark and Scotland counties, snowfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches. A strong northwest wind raked the area Monday night in the wake of the storm. Winds of 20 to 30 miles an hour produced considerable blowing and drifting of the light, fluffy snow. Accidents were widespread across the area on 12/18 and 12/19, but no serious injuries were reported by law enforcement. The strong northwest wind combined with temperatures near zero to produce wind chills values as low as 40 below zero during the evening hours of 12/18 and the early morning of 12/19.