Temperatures remained above normal with precipitation holding near normal for most areas. This allowed a large area of severe to extreme drought to persist over much of Iowa.
Every event with a place to put it; 47 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS DMX wrote it up.
Temperatures remained above normal with precipitation holding near normal for most areas. This allowed a large area of severe to extreme drought to persist over much of Iowa.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Des Moines, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 30, 11:37 PM CST, 23 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Des Moines IA 1137 PM CST Thu Nov 30 2023 ...Updated for the 06z Aviation Discussion... .DISCUSSION.../Tonight through Thursday/ Issued at 249 PM CST Thu Nov 30 2023 Key Messages: - Round 1: A wintry mix overnight into Friday morning with light accumulations mainly along and south of I-80 - Round 2: Light rain and snow Friday afternoon and evening once again mainly along and south of I-80 with little accumulation - Round 3: Light rain and snow manly east of I-35 on Saturday night with little accumulation Discussion: We are entering an active period of wintry weather over the next couple days. While three separate rounds of precipitation are forecast, each will only result in light accumulation. Round One: A low is lifting out of the southern plains and into the central US this afternoon. By this evening the northern side of the low will approach southern Iowa with precipitation expanding across southern Iowa overnight. Models are in good agreement with timing as precipitation arrives after midnight and departs by late morning. Precipitation type gets a little messier with soundings indicating variations in ice introduction, surface temperature, and depth of the warm layer. With much of the lower portion of the column near freezing, small fluctuations will be impactful for precipitation type. The NAM remains most aggressive on freezing rain with coldest surface temperatures. GFS and Euro suites include better ice introduction, but with surface temperatures near freezing, it will be a thin line on rain and snow. As this system fights dry air north, expect that the northern cut off could be rather sharp from dry to the wintry mix. Better chances to any ice accumulations would be far south with rain and snow along and south of the I-80 corridor, trending towards all rain towards the southeast. Round Two: As round one exits east midday Friday, a weak embedded shortwave will follow quickly on its heels bringing another quick shot at wintry precipitation on Friday late afternoon and evening. With less available moisture and a little less forcing, QPF with this round is lighter. With warmer daytime temperatures, this round is expected as mostly rain, with some snow mixing in especially into the evening. Primary uncertainty with this round is timing of the second round, as some of the CAMs maintain distinct waves while the HRRR has trended towards a more seamless transition from round one to two. There is also some question as to snow accumulations. With the column remains deeply saturated thorugh the DGZ, near surface temperatures hover right at freezing in soundings from Lamoni to Ottumwa. Given good saturation to the surface, expect little wetbulb influence to cool the column and push things one way or the other. Round Three: After a lull, the parent trough axis passes across the area Saturday evening and overnight. Precipitation here reaches further north, but recent model runs have pulled the system further east with main QPF along and east of the I-35 corridor. The primary precipitation type here will be rain, however some light snow may mix in overnight Saturday as the column cools and ice introduction increases. Any accumulations with this final round would be very light, a dusting or so. Into next week a quick moving shortwave swings across the area on Tuesday, delivering another shot at at wintry precipitation. This will be followed by a warming trend to finish out the week with above average temperatures. && .AVIATION.../For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Friday night/ Issued at 1134 PM CST Thu Nov 30 2023 Conditions will continue to deteriorate near KOTM overnight with lowering cigs and increasing chances for a wintry mix of precipitation. Conditions will reach IFR at times at KOTM. Light precipitation may reach KDSM/KALO during the period but there also may be a period with MVFR cigs on Friday. KFOD and KMCW should remain VFR. Generally northeast winds during the period, could become gusty at times south. && .DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST Friday for IAZ062-073>075- 082>086-092>097. && DISCUSSION...Hagenhoff AVIATION...Donavon
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Des Moines IA 341 PM CST Thu Nov 30 2023 IAZ004>007-015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>061-070>072-081- 012145- Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo- Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun- Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Crawford-Carroll-Greene- Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-Cass- Adair-Madison-Adams- 341 PM CST Thu Nov 30 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Rain and snow chances may cause travel concerns Saturday night into Sunday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed at this time. IAZ062-073>075-082>086-092>097-012145- Poweshiek-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Union-Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello- Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-Wayne-Appanoose-Davis- 341 PM CST Thu Nov 30 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa. .DAY ONE...Tonight A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for tonight beginning at Midnight. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until Noon Friday. Please refer to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for further details. Additional rain and snow chances may cause travel concerns Saturday night into Sunday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation will not be needed at this time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
47 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
Severe drought conditions remained across eastern Winnebago county through December with above normal temperatures continuing. Rainfall was around normal but did little to alleviate the dry conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Worth county through December with above normal temperatures continuing. Rainfall was around normal but did little to alleviate the dry conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Hancock county through December with above normal temperatures continuing. Rainfall was around normal but did little to alleviate the dry conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Cerro Gordo county through December with above normal temperatures continuing. Rainfall was around normal but did little to alleviate the dry conditions.
Severe drought conditions remained across far eastern Humboldt county through December with above normal temperatures continuing. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate the dry conditions, especially the long term dryness.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Wright county through December with above normal temperatures continuing. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate the dry conditions, especially the long term dryness.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Franklin county through December with above normal temperatures continuing. Rainfall was near normal but did little to alleviate the dry conditions, especially the long term dryness.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Butler county through December with above normal temperatures and slightly below normal rainfall.
Extreme drought conditions remained across Bremer county through December with above normal temperatures and slightly below normal rainfall.
Severe drought conditions remained across far southeast Sac county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across southern Calhoun county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across southeast Webster county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across Hamilton county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across Hardin county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was near normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Grundy county through December with above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall.
Extreme drought conditions remained across Black Hawk county through December with above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall.
Severe drought conditions remained across southeast Crawford county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across Carroll county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Greene county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Boone county through December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions expanded across all of Story county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was near normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across Marshall county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was near normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Audubon county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Guthrie county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Dallas county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Polk county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across Jasper county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across Poweshiek county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Cass county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Tama county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was near normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Adair county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Madison county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Warren county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Marion county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Mahaska county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was slightly above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across Adams county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Union county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Clarke county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Lucas county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Extreme drought conditions remained across Monroe county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Extreme drought conditions remained across Wapello county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across far northern Ringgold county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across far northern Decatur county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Wayne county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Appanoose county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe to extreme drought conditions remained across Davis county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
Severe drought conditions remained across far northern Taylor county in December with above normal temperatures. Rainfall was above normal but did little to alleviate drought conditions, particularly longer term deficits.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, December 2023
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1153211, 1153212, 1153213, 1153214, 1153215, 1153216, 1153217, 1153218, 1153219, 1153220, 1153221, 1153222, 1153223, 1153224, 1153225, 1153226, 1153227, 1153228, 1153229, 1153230, 1153231, 1153232, 1153233, 1153234, 1153235, 1153236, 1153237, 1153238, 1153239, 1153240, 1153241, 1153242, 1153243, 1153244, 1153245, 1153246, 1153247, 1153248, 1153249, 1153250, and more.