The snowstorm of December 18 to 22, 2008

The Regional Snowfall Index is NOAA’s ranking of snowstorms east of the Rockies by how much snow fell, over how wide an area and on how many people, region by region: the area and the population above four snowfall thresholds set for each region, weighted against that region’s own history. A storm is scored in each region it reached, on a scale from 1, notable, to 5, extreme.

Events

1,726

Deaths

34

Injuries

99

Damage

$48 million

Episodes

193

Every winter weather episode the Weather Service filed east of the Rockies in these dates. A few may belong to another system on the same days. 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.

• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 16 to 17, 200822 eventsAreas of freezing rain and freezing drizzle caused roads to become very icy. Numerous accidents were reported, especially on bridges and overpasses. In McCracken County, a dozen wrecks caused major traffic problems. Interstate 24 westbound was closed near exit 11, and U.S.
• Winter Weather in New York, December 17, 2008$45,000 · 9 eventsA weak surface low developed across the Great Lakes on December 16th and moved into northern New York by the morning of December 17th. A secondary low formed south of New England during the early morning hours of December 17th and moved east of New England by the evening.
• Winter Weather in New York, December 17, 200827 eventsA low pressure system tracked northeast from the Tennessee Valley late Tuesday night December 16th, to Lake Ontario by Wednesday afternoon December 17th, while another low pressure system developed off the Delmarva Peninsula and tracked northeast, passing just east of Cape Cod…
• Winter Weather in Vermont, December 17, 20083 eventsA low pressure system tracked northeast from the Tennessee Valley late Tuesday night December 16th, to Lake Ontario by Wednesday afternoon December 17th, while another low pressure system developed off the Delmarva Peninsula and tracked northeast, passing just east of Cape Cod…
• Winter Weather in Connecticut, December 17, 20082 eventsA low pressure system tracked northeast from the Tennessee Valley late Tuesday night December 16th, to Lake Ontario by Wednesday afternoon December 17th, while another low pressure system developed off the Delmarva Peninsula and tracked northeast, passing just east of Cape Cod…
• Winter Weather in Massachusetts, December 17, 20082 eventsA low pressure system tracked northeast from the Tennessee Valley late Tuesday night December 16th, to Lake Ontario by Wednesday afternoon December 17th, while another low pressure system developed off the Delmarva Peninsula and tracked northeast, passing just east of Cape Cod…
• Winter Weather in Vermont, December 17, 2008$80,000 · 16 eventsA weak surface low developed across the Great Lakes on December 16th and moved into northern New York by the morning of December 17th. A secondary low formed south of New England during the early morning hours of December 17th and moved east of New England by the evening.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 17, 20081 eventAn area of low pressure over the eastern Great Lakes combined with a developing low off the East Coast to produce a light to moderate snow across the state. The greatest snow from the storm fell across northern Carroll County where 5 to 7 inches fell.
• Winter Storm and Frost and Freeze in California, December 17 to 18, 20085 eventsAnother major winter storm reached the central California Interior during the afternoon of December 16th. This storm dropped south along the coast, and as a result had a stronger impact on the Kern County mountains and desert than on the Sierra Nevada north of Kings Canyon.
• Lake-Effect Snow and Winter Weather in Michigan, December 17 to 20, 20085 eventsA stationary low pressure trough over central Lake Superior focused heavy lake effect snow showers over Keweenaw County on the 17th into the morning of the 18th.
• Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 17 to 18, 20081 death · 10 eventsA unusually cold storm system brought heavy snow accumulations to northwest Oregon.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Washington, December 17 to 18, 20086 eventsA strong and very cold Pacific system brought heavy snow accumulations to southwest Washington.
• Winter Storm in California, December 17, 20081 eventA strong low pressure system moved slowly through Southern California, producing very heavy snow. About a foot of snow fell in the higher elevations of Joshua Tree NP. Snow was also reported in many lower desert areas. Some roads were either closed or traffic was restricted.
• Heavy Snow in Utah, December 17 to 18, 20084 eventsThe next in a series of cold and wet storms brought another round of snow to much of Utah, with southern Utah once again receiving the heaviest snowfall.
• Winter Weather in Tennessee, December 17 to 18, 20081 eventA mixture of rain, sleet, and snow started to occur during the late afternoon hours across Smith County on Wednesday, December 17th. It resulted in treacherous road conditions across the county through the morning hours of Thursday, December 18th.
• Winter Storm in California, December 17, 20082 eventsA extremely cold early-season storm heavy snow and strong winds to the mountains and deserts of Los Angeles county. Cold air associated with the storm dropped snow levels down to around 1500 feet.
• Blizzard in Alaska, December 17 to 18, 20081 eventA strong low crossed the central Aleutians December 17th and 18th. Strong north to northwest wind around the west side of the low coupled with snow resulted in a blizzard in Adak.
• Winter Weather in Kansas, December 18, 20085 injured · $60,000 · 2 eventsWarm and moist air overrunning a retreating cold airmass resulted in widespread freezing drizzle, freezing rain and fog across south-central and southeast Kansas during the predawn and morning hours of December 18th.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 18, 200816 eventsAreas of light freezing rain and freezing drizzle caused slick spots on roadways. Bridges and overpasses were the most affected surfaces. Traffic accidents were not as numerous as during the winter event the previous day.
• Winter Weather in Missouri, December 18, 20089 eventsAreas of light freezing rain and freezing drizzle caused slick spots on roadways. Bridges and overpasses were the most affected surfaces. Numerous additional accidents were reported in this third round of ice in three days. About 15 wrecks occurred in Scott County.
• Winter Weather in Illinois, December 18, 20086 eventsAreas of light freezing rain and freezing drizzle caused slick spots on roadways. Bridges and overpasses were the most affected surfaces. Traffic accidents were not as numerous as during the winter event the previous day.
• Cold in California, December 18, 20081 eventA cool high pressure system in the wake of a storm coupled with light winds and clear skies to bring unseasonably cold morning temperatures to the northern Sacramento Valley.
• Heavy Snow in Washington, December 18 to 19, 200811 injured · $1.0 million · 2 eventsHeavy snow fell in the central Puget Sound area including Seattle.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Idaho, December 18 to 19, 20083 eventsHeavy snow and strong winds occurred in the mountains of Idaho. Strong winds and drifting closed highway 32 from Ashton to Tetonia in the Upper Snake Highlands and highway 47 was closed from Ashton to Bear Gulch. Sugar Salem and Fremont County schools were closed on the 19th.
• Ice Storm in Missouri, December 18 to 19, 200820 eventsA storm system brough widespread freezing rain to portions of northern Missouri, mainly along and north of Highway 36, from the afternoon of December 18, 2008, to the early morning hours of December 19, 2008.
• Heavy Snow in California, December 18 to 19, 20084 eventsSnow amounts of up to a foot fell over the higher mountains and with winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph this produced reduced visibilities.
• Winter Weather in Kansas, December 18, 20082 injured · $100,000 · 9 eventsA weather system moved across northwest Kansas producing freezing rain and light snow. Numerous accidents were reported on Interstate 70 in Sherman and Thomas counties as a result of ice accumulations up to 1/8.
• Ice Storm in Illinois, December 18 to 19, 20085 eventsFreezing rain began falling the evening of the 17th and continued into the early morning hours of the 18th. Ice accumulations were generally around one quarter of an inch with a few location approaching one half inch. There were scattered power outages reported across the region.
• Ice Storm in Missouri, December 18 to 19, 20082 eventsIce accumulations across Northeast Missouri ranged from 1/4 inch to near 1/2 inch. There were tree limbs down and scattered power outages.
• Winter Weather in Kansas, December 18, 20083 injured · 2 eventsDespite estimated ice accumulations from a slick glaze up to one quarter of an inch, residents of northeast Kansas were left relatively unscathed by freezing rain and freezing drizzle on the 18th.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Nebraska, December 18 to 19, 200824 eventsA fast moving upper level system moved from the southwestern United States across the plains tapping gulf moisture as it moved near eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa.
• Ice Storm in Missouri, December 18 to 19, 20082 eventsA major winter storm tracked from eastern Colorado to northern Missouri and then to central Illinois December 18-19, 2008, and was the most significant winter event of the month.
• Ice Storm in Illinois, December 18 to 19, 2008$2.0 million · 14 eventsA powerful storm system produced between one quarter and three quarters of an inch of ice across parts of central Illinois on December 18th. Areas along and north of I-72 were most severely impacted, with widespread tree damage and power outages reported.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Iowa, December 18 to 19, 200821 eventsA major winter storm tracked from eastern Colorado to northern Missouri and then to central Illinois December 18-19, 2008, and was the most significant winter event of the month.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Iowa, December 18 to 19, 20086 eventsA fast moving upper level system moved from the southwestern United States across the plains tapping gulf moisture as it moved near eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa.
• Ice Storm in Iowa, December 18 to 19, 2008$110,000 · 16 eventsA strong trough of low pressure in the upper atmosphere moved into the southwest U.S. late on the 17th and early on the 18th. The system was very fast moving with a strong jet of 165 kts streaming up the east side of the trough.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Illinois, December 18 to 19, 200813 eventsA major winter storm tracked from eastern Colorado to northern Missouri and then to central Illinois December 18-19, 2008, and was the most significant winter event of the month.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, December 18 to 19, 2008$215,000 · 35 eventsA strong trough of low pressure in the upper atmosphere moved into the southwest U.S. late on the 17th and early on the 18th. The system was very fast moving with a strong jet of 165 kts streaming up the east side of the trough.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Iowa, December 18 to 19, 200811 eventsSnow accumulated 6 to 14 inches over most of northwest Iowa, with the 14 inch report at Sheldon. Less than 6 inches fell over the extreme northwest corner of the state.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Illinois, December 18 to 19, 2008$100,000 · 18 eventsA strong winter storm moved across northern Illinois during the late evening hours of December 18th into the morning of December 19th. Ice accumulations of one quarter to one half inch were reported across much of Livingston, Kankakee, Ford and Iroquois Counties.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 18 to 19, 20089 eventsThis was the 3rd major winter storm of the 2008-09 winter season for south-central and southeast Wisconsin. It dumped 8 to around 14 inches, but the impact on society was significant since there was a lot of blowing and drifting of the snow.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Indiana, December 18 to 19, 20085 eventsA strong winter storm moved across northwest Indiana during the late evening hours of December 18th into the morning of December 19th. Ice accumulations of one quarter to one half inch were reported across much of Benton, Newton and Jasper Counties.
• Heavy Snow in Nebraska, December 18 to 19, 20082 eventsSnow accumulated 5 to 9 inches in extreme northeast Nebraska, with the 9 inch report at Ponca.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 18 to 19, 20081 death · 11 eventsThis was the 3rd major winter storm of the 2008-09 winter season for south-central and southeast Wisconsin. It dumped 8 to around 14 inches, but the impact on society was significant since there was a lot of blowing and drifting of the snow.
• Ice Storm in Indiana, December 18 to 19, 200824 eventsSignificant ice accumulations and light snow/sleet amounts affected the region as a quick moving area of low pressure tracked eastward through central portions of Indiana and Ohio on late December 18th into the first half of December 19th.
• Winter Storm in Iowa, December 18 to 19, 20088 eventsA large winter storm system moved out of the southern Plains to the lower Great Lakes region December 18 to 19 bringing snow, freezing rain and sleet to much of the Upper Midwest. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 11 inches were common across northeast Iowa.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 18 to 19, 20088 eventsA large winter storm system moved out of the southern Plains to the lower Great Lakes region December 18 to 19 bringing snow, freezing rain and sleet to much of the Upper Midwest.
• Ice Storm in Indiana, December 18 to 19, 20083 eventsA strong weather system over the southwestern U.S. lifted rapidly northeast into the Great Lakes, bringing snow and freezing rain to central Indiana during the evening and overnight hours. Ice accretion of up to one quarter inch was reported.
• Ice Storm and Winter Weather in Ohio, December 19, 200813 eventsLow pressure crossed the northern Ohio Valley during the early morning hours of Friday the 19th. Cold air was in place when rain began ahead of the approaching low. Significant icing occurred through about daybreak, when warmer air got pulled north of the low's easterly track.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Minnesota, December 18 to 19, 20083 eventsSnow accumulated 4 to 8 inches over Jackson County, with the 8 inch report at Jackson. Lesser snow accumulations were reported elsewhere in southwest Minnesota.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, December 19, 20083 eventsLow pressure crossed the northern Ohio Valley during the early morning hours of Friday the 19th. Cold air was in place when rain began ahead of the approaching low.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, December 18 to 19, 20083 eventsA large winter storm system moved out of the southern Plains to the lower Great Lakes region December 18 to 19 bringing snow, freezing rain and sleet to much of the Upper Midwest.
• Ice Storm in Ohio, December 19, 20088 eventsSignificant ice accumulations and light snow/sleet amounts affected the region as a quick moving area of low pressure tracked eastward through central portions of Indiana and Ohio on December 19th.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in South Dakota, December 19, 20083 eventsSnow accumulated 5 to 8 inches in extreme southeast South Dakota near the Missouri River.
• Winter Storm in Ohio, December 19, 2008$1.1 million · 29 eventsA low pressure system tracked through central Ohio on the 19th. The low pressure remained just south of the region, but warmer air aloft moved over the area allowing for mainly freezing rain across the region.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, December 19, 20085 eventsA quick moving low pressure system tracked eastward through the northern Ohio Valley early December 19th. Precipitation broke out to the north of this system, with snow mixing with freezing rain and sleet across much of southwestern Lower Michigan.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, December 19, 200823 eventsAn area of low pressure moved from Kansas City, Missouri to north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Snow spread into southwest lower Michigan out ahead of the low, starting in South Haven at around 2:00 a.m. on the nineteenth.
• Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, December 19, 200821 eventsA fast moving low pressure system brought a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to north central Pennsylvania from the early morning through late afternoon. Moderate to heavy rainfall was observed across the southern tier of the Commonwealth, which caused minor flooding.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, December 19, 200817 eventsA strong upper wave tracked through southern Lower Michigan, with the associated surface low track through northern Ohio. This track helped lock in the cold air in place, resulting in a general 6 to 12 inch snowfall across southeast Michigan, which fell in a ten hour period.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Wisconsin, December 19, 20088 eventsA fast moving area of low pressure moved from Colorado to Indiana and produced a swath of heavy snow across the southern half of Wisconsin. Snowfall rates of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour were reported in parts of central and east-central Wisconsin.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, December 19, 20083 eventsA storm system developed across the southern Rockies and moved quickly east across the mid section of the nation with enough moisture to spread 6+ inches of snowfall across extreme southern Minnesota, affecting the counties along the Minnesota/Iowa border.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, December 19, 20086 eventsA low pressure system moved from central Illinois to central Ohio, with heavy snow falling north of the track of the low. Northern Michigan was grazed by the north end of the swath of heavy snow.
• Winter Storm in Utah, December 19 to 20, 20086 eventsAnother cold Pacific storm brought widespread snowfall and strong gusty winds to much of northern Utah on December 19th, with snow lingering across the higher terrain for the 20th.
• Winter Storm in North Dakota, December 19 to 20, 200818 eventsAn inverted trough slowly crossed eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, dropping about 4 to 6 inches of snow along with 25 to 35 mph wind speeds.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, December 19 to 20, 20081 death · 5 injured · 8 eventsA winter storm affected most of Eastern Pennsylvania on the 19th. Mainly ice fell in the Philadelphia northern suburbs, a wintry mix fell in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley and mainly snow fell in the Poconos.
• Winter Storm in New York, December 19, 2008$340,000 · 17 eventsLow pressure moved out of the central Plains and moved across Pennsylvania. The low brought an eight to twelve inch blanket of snow to the entire region on the 19th.
• Winter Storm in Pennsylvania, December 19, 2008$145,000 · 3 eventsA low pressure system tracked through central Ohio and into western Pennsylvania on the 19th. The low pressure remained just south of the region, but warmer air aloft moved over the area allowing for mainly freezing rain across the region.
• Winter Storm and Winter Weather in New Jersey, December 19 to 20, 20083 injured · 9 eventsA winter storm affected most of the northern half of New Jersey from the morning of the 19th into the early part of the 20th.
• Winter Storm in New York, December 19, 200818 eventsA low pressure system tracked from the southwest United States to the Plains, Mid-West, and the middle Atlantic states from late on the 18th to the evening of December 19th. The storm spread snow across all of central New York, with accumulations of about 6 to 11 inches.
• Heavy Snow in Pennsylvania, December 19, 20089 eventsA low pressure system tracked from the southwest United States to the Plains, Mid-West and the middle Atlantic states from late on the 18th to the evening of December 19th. The storm spread snow across all of northeast Pennsylvania, with accumulations of about 5 to 9 inches.
• Heavy Snow in New York, December 19 to 20, 20086 eventsA weak surface low tracked from the Midwest during the morning of December 19, to off the southern New Jersey coast in the evening. At the same time, a large, sprawling high over eastern Canada estimated at 1035 mb nosed southward along the lee of the Appalachians.
• Heavy Snow in New Jersey, December 19, 20084 eventsA weak surface low tracked from the Midwest during the morning of December 19, to off the southern New Jersey coast in the evening. At the same time, a large, sprawling high over eastern Canada estimated at 1035 mb nosed southward along the lee of the Appalachians.
• Heavy Snow in Connecticut, December 19 to 20, 20088 eventsA weak surface low tracked from the Midwest during the morning of December 19, to off the southern New Jersey coast in the evening. At the same time, a large, sprawling high over eastern Canada estimated at 1035 mb nosed southward along the lee of the Appalachians.
• Winter Storm in New York, December 19 to 20, 2008$30,000 · 6 eventsOn the morning of December 19th, low pressure was located across the mid-Mississippi River Valley. This low moved across the Ohio River Valley during the afternoon of the 19th and then offshore south of New England during the evening.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in New York, December 19 to 20, 200827 eventsA low pressure system tracked from the southwestern U.S. Thursday morning December 18th, to southern Illinois by Friday morning December 19th, to a position well off the New England coast by Saturday morning December 20th.
• Winter Weather in New York, December 19 to 20, 2008$15,000 · 3 eventsOn the morning of December 19th, low pressure was located across the mid-Mississippi River Valley. This low moved across the Ohio River Valley during the afternoon of the 19th and then offshore south of New England during the evening.
• Heavy Snow in Connecticut, December 19 to 20, 20082 eventsA low pressure system tracked from the southwestern U.S. Thursday morning December 18th, to southern Illinois by Friday morning December 19th, to a position well off the New England coast by Saturday morning December 20th.
• Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, December 19 to 21, 2008$33,000 · 23 eventsAn intensifying coastal low spread heavy snow across southern New England. Snow began in the early afternoon across Connecticut and southwestern Massachusetts, spreading quickly across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New Hampshire.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, December 19 to 20, 2008$75,000 · 11 eventsOn the morning of December 19th, low pressure was located across the mid-Mississippi River Valley. This low moved across the Ohio River Valley during the afternoon of the 19th and then offshore south of New England during the evening.
• Winter Weather in Vermont, December 19 to 20, 2008$25,000 · 5 eventsOn the morning of December 19th, low pressure was located across the mid-Mississippi River Valley. This low moved across the Ohio River Valley during the afternoon of the 19th and then offshore south of New England during the evening.
• Heavy Snow in Connecticut, December 19 to 20, 20083 eventsAn intensifying coastal low spread heavy snow across southern New England. Snow began in the early afternoon across Connecticut and southwestern Massachusetts, spreading quickly across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New Hampshire.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in Vermont, December 19 to 20, 20083 eventsA low pressure system tracked from the southwestern U.S. Thursday morning December 18th, to southern Illinois by Friday morning December 19th, to a position well off the New England coast by Saturday morning December 20th.
• Heavy Snow in Massachusetts, December 19 to 20, 20082 eventsA low pressure system tracked from the southwestern U.S. Thursday morning December 18th, to southern Illinois by Friday morning December 19th, to a position well off the New England coast by Saturday morning December 20th.
• Heavy Snow in Rhode Island, December 19 to 20, 2008$5,000 · 7 eventsAn intensifying coastal low spread heavy snow across southern New England. Snow began in the early afternoon across Connecticut and southwestern Massachusetts, spreading quickly across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New Hampshire.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 19 to 21, 20083 eventsAn intensifying coastal low spread heavy snow across southern New England. Snow began in the early afternoon across Connecticut and southwestern Massachusetts, spreading quickly across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and southern New Hampshire.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 19 to 20, 200810 eventsAn area of low pressure over the mid Mississippi Valley on the morning of the 19th moved rapidly eastward during the day and well off the East Coast by the morning of the 20th. The low brought heavy snow to most of the state.
• Winter Storm in Minnesota, December 19 to 20, 200817 eventsAn inverted trough slowly crossed eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, dropping about 4 to 6 inches of snow along with 25 to 35 mph wind speeds.
• Heavy Snow in Maine, December 19 to 20, 20084 eventsAn area of low pressure over the mid Mississippi Valley on the morning of the 19th moved rapidly eastward during the day and well off the East Coast by the morning of the 20th. The low brought heavy snow to the York and Cumberland, Counties where 5 to 9 inches of snow fell.
• Blizzard in South Dakota, December 19 to 20, 200811 eventsAn area of low pressure moving across the Northern Plains brought snowfall, strong north winds, and bitter cold temperatures to northeast South Dakota. Snowfall amounts of 2 to 9 inches occurred across the area.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, December 20, 20082 eventsAn area of low pressure moving across the Northern Plains brought snowfall, strong north winds, and bitter cold temperatures to west central Minnesota. Snowfall amounts of 2 to 8 inches occurred across the area.
• Heavy Snow in Minnesota, December 20 to 21, 20086 eventsA winter storm with widespread snow affected much of northeast Minnesota. Heavy snow was common along the North Shore from Duluth to Grand Portage, where 7 to 14 inches of snow fell.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Minnesota, December 20, 200837 eventsRound two of two powerful winter storms plagued the upper Midwest in less than 48 hours as another fast moving system brought substantial snowfall, low temperatures, blizzard conditions and dangerously cold wind chills values.
• Extreme Cold in North Dakota, December 20 to 21, 200836 eventsStrong cold air advection combined with gusty northwest winds resulted in wind chill temperatures of 40 below to near 50 below zero from Saturday the 20th, through Sunday morning the 21st.
• Blizzard and Winter Weather in South Dakota, December 20 to 21, 200824 eventsNorthwest winds sustained around 30 mph, with gusts over 40 mph, combined with existing loose snow cover and generally light new snowfall to cause frequent visibilities below a quarter mile in blowing snow. Drifting snow closed several roads.
• Extreme Cold and Cold in Nebraska, December 20 to 21, 200837 eventsAn upper level disturbance tracking across the northern plains brought a period of snow to eastern Nebraska and western Iowa followed by an Arctic cold front which brought plunging temperatures and gusty winds.
• Winter Storm and Cold in Minnesota, December 20 to 22, 200814 eventsAfter being hit by heavy snow December 18 and 19, southeast Minnesota was impacted by another winter storm December 20 through 21.
• Blizzard in Iowa, December 20 to 21, 200816 eventsA powerful arctic cold front swept across the region on December 20-21, 2008. Ahead of the front, 1 to 3 inches of fluffy snow fell during the afternoon of December 20. The snow was confined to locations in Iowa and Illinois along and north of Interstate 80.
• Winter Storm and Cold in Wisconsin, December 20 to 22, 200820 eventsAfter being hit by heavy snow December 18 and 19, southwest and central Wisconsin were impacted by another winter storm December 20 through 21.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Oregon, December 20 to 22, 20081 death · $31 million · 12 eventsThe third in a series of an unusually cold storm systems brought heavy snow accumulations to northwest Oregon. The heavy snowfall created a significant impact to many communities across northwest Oregon.
• Winter Storm and Cold in Iowa, December 20 to 22, 200816 eventsAfter being hit by heavy snow December 18 and 19, northeast Iowa was impacted by another winter storm December 20 through 21.
• Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, December 20 to 23, 20083 eventsA winter storm with widespread snow affected much of northwest Wisconsin. The heaviest snow was concentrated across Ashland, Sawyer, and Washburn counties, where total snowfall amounts of 7 to 9 inches were common, including 6 inches at Loretta and Butternut, 7 inches at…
• Winter Weather in Nebraska, December 20 to 21, 20082 eventsNorthwest winds sustained at near 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph combined with existing snow cover to produce areas of blowing snow, with visibilities falling to a half mile in places.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Washington, December 20 to 22, 2008$3.1 million · 7 eventsThe third in a series of an unusually cold storm systems brought heavy snow accumulations to southwest Washington. The heavy snowfall created a significant impact to many communities across southwest Washington.
• Blizzard in Iowa, December 20 to 21, 200820 eventsAn inverted trough of low pressure at the surface moved through the state during the early morning of the 20th into the day on the 20th. At the same time, a strong low pressure deepened in the upper atmosphere over and just northeast of the state.
• Blizzard in Minnesota, December 20 to 21, 20088 eventsNorthwest winds sustained around 30 mph, with gusts over 40 mph, combined with existing loose snow cover and generally light new snowfall to cause frequent visibilities below a quarter mile in blowing snow. Drifting snow closed several roads.
• Blizzard in Iowa, December 20 to 21, 200811 eventsNorthwest winds sustained around 30 mph, with gusts over 40 mph, combined with recent heavy and loose snow cover and generally light new snowfall to cause frequent visibilities near zero in blowing snow. Drifting snow closed several roads.
• Extreme Cold in North Dakota, December 20 to 21, 200817 eventsAfter the winter storm event ended on Saturday (20th), northwest winds remained brisk as surface low pressure intensified over the Great Lakes. With temperatures remaining below zero, wind chill readings ranged from 40 below to 50 below zero.
• Extreme Cold in Minnesota, December 20 to 21, 20089 eventsAfter the winter storm event ended on Saturday (20th), northwest winds remained brisk as surface low pressure intensified over the Great Lakes. With temperatures remaining below zero, wind chill readings ranged from 40 below to 50 below zero.
• Extreme Cold in South Dakota, December 20 to 21, 200826 eventsArctic air combined with blustery northwest winds brought extreme wind chills to central and northeast South Dakota from the late afternoon of the 20th until the afternoon of the 21st. Wind chills of 35 below to 45 below zero were common across the area.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in Massachusetts, December 20 to 22, 2008$8,000 · 9 eventsA coastal storm moved southeast of Nantucket immediately following another coastal storm that affected southern New England on the 19th and 20th of December.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 20, 20084 eventsRound two of two powerful winter storms plagued the upper Midwest in less than 48 hours as another fast moving system brought substantial snowfall, low temperatures, blizzard conditions and dangerously cold wind chills values.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 20 to 21, 20083 eventsA coastal storm moved southeast of Nantucket immediately following another coastal storm that affected southern New England on the 19th and 20th of December.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Michigan, December 20 to 22, 20086 eventsA clipper low pressure system moving through Wisconsin brought heavy lake enhanced snow to portions of Delta County on the 20th and 21st. The system also brought heavy lake effect snow to portions of Marquette County and the Keweenaw Peninsula.
• Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, December 20 to 22, 200811 eventsLight snow began late on the 20th, and evolved into a blizzard across portions of lower Michigan on the 21st.
• Cold in Iowa, December 20 to 21, 20084 eventsAn upper level disturbance tracking across the northern plains brought a period of snow to eastern Nebraska and western Iowa followed by an Arctic cold front which brought plunging temperatures and gusty winds.
• Heavy Snow in California, December 20 to 23, 20082 eventsAnother of a series of cold winter storms dropped heavy snow over the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Southern Cascade Range. This system caused significant holiday travel problems at the passes.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 20 to 21, 20089 eventsThe 4th major winter storm of the 2008-09 winter season affected all of south-central and southeast Wisconsin. While this storm featured only 2 to 5 inches of new, dry snow, the snow was combined with strong west winds occasionally gusting to 30 to 38 knots (35 to 44 mph).
• Winter Weather in Maryland, December 21, 20081 death · 8 eventsAn area of low pressure tracked through the Mid-Atlantic on the morning of the 21st allowing for precipitation to develop over Maryland.
• Winter Weather in New Jersey, December 21, 200817 injured · 18 eventsA wintry mix of precipitation fell during the first half of the day into the early afternoon on the 21st across most of New Jersey. Along the immediate shore, precipitation fell as plain rain.
• Winter Weather in Virginia, December 21, 20083 eventsAn area of low pressure tracked through the Mid-Atlantic on the morning of the 21st allowing for precipitation to develop over Virginia.
• Winter Weather in West Virginia, December 21, 20081 eventAn area of low pressure tracked through the Mid-Atlantic on the morning of the 21st allowing for precipitation to develop over West Virginia.
• Cold in Illinois, December 21 to 25, 20085 deaths · 1 eventVery cold air spread across northern Illinois starting on December 21st and continuing through December 25th. Low temperatures dropped to 5 below to 10 below zero on the 21st and 22nd, and were in the low single digits on the 23rd, 24th and 25th.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 21, 20081 death · 11 eventsThe 4th major winter storm of the 2008-09 winter season affected all of south-central and southeast Wisconsin. While this storm featured only 2 to 5 inches of new, dry snow, the snow was combined with strong west winds occasionally gusting to 30 to 38 knots (35 to 44 mph).
• Extreme Cold in Nebraska, December 21, 200814 eventsFrigid arctic air occurred across western and north central Nebraska on December 21st as a storm system swept southeast from the Dakotas into the lower Great Lakes region.
• Heavy Snow in Michigan, December 21 to 22, 20089 eventsA slow-moving low pressure system crossed the Great Lakes region on the 21st. Two areas of heavy snow occurred. The first occurred in parts of Northeast Lower Michigan, as east winds off of Lake Huron enhanced snowfall at the start of the event.
• Blizzard in Illinois, December 21, 200811 eventsBlizzard conditions developed during the early morning of December 21st and continued through the early evening hours. Many areas received new snowfall of 1 to 2 inches during the evening of December 20th.
• Extreme Cold in Minnesota, December 21, 20082 eventsArctic air combined with blustery northwest winds brought extreme wind chills to west central Minnesota from the early morning to the afternoon of the 21st. Wind chills of 35 below to 45 below zero were common across the area.
• Cold in Wisconsin, December 21 to 22, 20082 deaths · 7 injured · 20 eventsYet another bitter cold air mass pushed across southern Wisconsin in the wake of a winter storm. West winds of 13 to 17 knots (15 to 20 mph) with gusts to 26 to 35 knots (30 to 40 mph) generated wind chills of -20 to -34.
• Winter Weather in Pennsylvania, December 21, 200810 eventsA wintry mix of precipitation fell during the first half of the day on the 21st across Eastern Pennsylvania. Precipitation in Philadelphia, the immediate northwest suburbs and Berks County fell mainly as freezing rain with a little bit of sleet.
• Blizzard in Illinois, December 21, 20089 eventsA powerful arctic cold front swept across the region on December 20-21, 2008. Ahead of the front, 1 to 3 inches of fluffy snow fell during the afternoon of December 20. The snow was confined to locations in Iowa and Illinois along and north of Interstate 80.
• Winter Weather in Maryland, December 21, 20085 eventsA wintry mix of mainly freezing rain and some sleet fell during the first half of the day across the Maryland Eastern Shore. Around two tenths of an inch of ice accrued on exposed surfaces and took down some weak power lines.
• Winter Weather in Delaware, December 21, 20082 eventsA wintry mix of mainly freezing rain and some sleet fell during the first half of the day across Kent and New Castle Counties in Delaware. Plain rain fell farther to the south. Around two tenths of an inch of ice accrued on exposed surfaces and took down some weak power lines.
• Winter Storm in Wisconsin, December 21, 20081 eventLow pressure developed along an Arctic cold front and produced a large area of snow across Wisconsin. The southern half of the state was hardest hit with a combination of several inches of snow and strong winds.
• Winter Storm in New York, December 21, 2008$45,000 · 7 eventsA strong upper atmospheric low pressure system moved from south central Canada to the Great Lakes during the night of December 20th into the morning of December 21st.
• Winter Storm and Strong Wind in California, December 21 to 25, 2008$128,000 · 13 eventsAnother winter storm arrived in Central California on the 21st, bringing another round of rain and mountain snow to the region. SNOTEL observations in the Southern Sierra Nevada indicated that between one and two feet of snow fell over the higher elevations on the 21st and 22nd.
• Blizzard in Michigan, December 21 to 22, 20081 death · 2 eventsArctic air filtered into southwest lower Michigan behind a strong cold front early on December 21st.
• Heavy Snow and Winter Weather in New York, December 21, 200825 eventsA low pressure system tracked across the Great Lakes late Saturday December 20th, into Sunday December 21st.
• Heavy Snow in New Hampshire, December 21 to 22, 200812 eventsAn area of low pressure weakened as it crossed the Great Lakes on the morning of the 21st as a second area of low pressure developed off the North Carolina coast.
• Heavy Snow in Idaho, December 21 to 22, 20089 eventsA strong Pacific storm system dumped heavy snow on nearly all of southeastern Idaho starting on Sunday the 21st and continuing through Monday the 22nd. More than a foot of snow was common in the mountains while 6 to 14 inches fell in the Snake River Plain.
• Winter Weather in New York, December 21, 2008$10,000 · 2 eventsA strong upper atmospheric low pressure system moved from south central Canada to the Great Lakes during the night of December 20th into the morning of December 21st.
• Winter Storm in New York, December 21, 20081 eventAn area of low pressure moved east across the Great Lakes, while a second low developed off the coast of New Jersey. Theses systems combined to bring mainly light snow across central New York, with higher amounts across northern and northeast parts of the state.
• Winter Storm in Vermont, December 21, 2008$185,000 · 16 eventsA strong upper atmospheric low pressure system moved from south central Canada to the Great Lakes during the night of December 20th into the morning of December 21st.
• Extreme Cold in Illinois, December 21, 200812 eventsA combination of temperatures falling to 5 below to 10 below zero and winds of 20 to 30 mph caused wind chill readings to drop to 35 below zero across much of northern Illinois during the morning hours of December 21st.
• Heavy Snow in Vermont, December 21, 20083 eventsA low pressure system tracked across the Great Lakes late Saturday December 20th, into Sunday December 21st.
• Winter Weather in Massachusetts, December 21, 20082 eventsA low pressure system tracked across the Great Lakes late Saturday December 20th, into Sunday December 21st.
• Winter Weather in Connecticut, December 21, 20081 eventA low pressure system tracked across the Great Lakes late Saturday December 20th, into Sunday December 21st.
• Winter Storm and Heavy Snow in Utah, December 21 to 22, 20087 eventsYet another Pacific storm system moved through much of the state of Utah. Areas favored in southwesterly flow received the heaviest snowfall for the event.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 21 to 22, 2008$135,000 · 9 eventsThe season's most severe lake effect event to date followed the passage of a sharp front early on Sunday the 21st.
• Heavy Snow in Maine, December 21 to 22, 200817 eventsAn area of low pressure weakened as it crossed the Great Lakes on the morning of the 21st as a second area of low pressure developed off the North Carolina coast.
• Extreme Cold in Indiana, December 21, 20082 eventsA combination of temperatures falling to 5 below zero and winds of 20 to 30 mph caused wind chill readings to drop to 35 below zero across parts of northwest Indiana during the morning hours of December 21st.
• Extreme Cold in Ohio, December 21 to 22, 20081 death · 1 eventA bitter cold snap claimed the life of a Greene county woman.
• Heavy Snow in Washington, December 21 to 22, 20082 injured · $6.1 million · 9 eventsOn the second day of the Dec 20-21 weekend, a Pacific frontal system moved onshore, bringing more snow to much of western Washington.
• Lake-Effect Snow in Pennsylvania, December 21 to 22, 2008$1.0 million · 2 eventsA strong area of low pressure passed to the north of Lake Erie during the morning hours of December 21st. A strong cold front trailing this low swept east across Northwest Pennsylvania.
• Lake-Effect Snow in Ohio, December 21 to 22, 2008$800,000 · 2 eventsA strong area of low pressure passed to the north of Lake Erie during the morning hours of December 21st. A strong cold front trailing this low swept east across Northeast Ohio.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, December 21 to 22, 20084 deaths · 1 eventAn arctic cold front swept through northern Indiana early on December 21st. Strong west winds of 20 to 35 mph, combined with lake-effect snow showers created reduced visibilities and blowing snow. This led to icy road conditions.
• Blizzard in Maine, December 21 to 22, 200815 eventsRapidly intensifying low pressure tracking through the Gulf of Maine brought blizzard conditions to all of northern and eastern Maine.
• Cold in Michigan, December 21 to 22, 20084 eventsSouthwest winds allowed arctic air to stream in from the Ohio River Valley, leading to wind chills around 25 below zero.
• Cold in North Dakota, December 21 to 22, 20081 death · 1 eventThis was a two day subset of a prolonged cold snap across North Dakota. Temperatures on the 21st at Garrison ranged from a high of ten below zero to a low of 21 below. On the 22nd the low was 25 below.
• Extreme Cold in Pennsylvania, December 21 to 22, 200818 eventsBlustery west winds combined with bitterly cold temperatures associated with an arctic airmass to produce frigid wind chills of fifteen to twenty degrees below zero across much of northern and western Pennsylvania.
• Lake-Effect Snow in Pennsylvania, December 21 to 22, 20081 eventArctic air crossing over the lower Great Lakes produced heavy lake effect snowfall across the snow belt region of northwest Warren County.
• Cold in Pennsylvania, December 22, 20082 eventsThe combination of gusty west winds and an arctic air mass produced wind chill factors as low as twenty degrees below zero over the higher terrain of the Poconos during the first half of the 22nd. The actual low temperatures were around zero.
• Lake-Effect Snow in New York, December 22 to 23, 20084 eventsA band of lake effect snow dropped south to areas east of Lake Ontario early in the morning of the 22nd, then southward to the New York State Thruway corridor by daybreak.
• Cold in New York, December 22, 20082 eventsThe combination of cold temperatures, and brisk winds, resulted in wind chill values of -15 to -20 F across the higher elevations of the eastern Catskills during the early morning hours of Monday December 22nd.
• Heavy Snow in Oregon, December 22, 20082 eventsAnother cold storm system brought a quick round of locally heavy snow accumulations to parts of the Willamette Valley.
• Winter Weather in Illinois, December 23, 20082 deaths · 4 injured · 2 eventsA storm system spread a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across central Illinois on December 23rd. The precipitation was on the light side: however, locations along and south of I-72 reported a thin glaze of ice from the freezing rain.
• Winter Weather in Wisconsin, December 23, 200820 eventsAnother low pressure moved from the Mid-Mississippi River Valley to northern Lower Michigan and deposited 2 to 5.6 inches of snow across south-central and southeast Wisconsin.
• Heavy Snow and High Wind in New Mexico, December 23, 200853 kt wind · 8 eventsA storm off the northern California coast on the 22nd crossed New Mexico on the 23rd, bringing moderate to heavy snow to the northern and western mountains, Northwest Plateau and Upper Rio Grande Valley.
• Winter Weather in Louisiana, December 23, 20085 eventsA shallow arctic airmass moved into the region a few days earlier resulting in near to slightly below freezing temperatures across much of northern Louisiana.
• Winter Weather in Arkansas, December 23, 20082 deaths · 1 eventLight freezing rain fell during the day on December 23rd, 2008. Minor ice accumulations occurred across Eastern Arkansas. This made roads hazardous to travel and many accidents occurred as a result. Two deaths occurred from traffic accidents.
• Winter Weather in Arkansas, December 23, 200840 eventsAn Arctic air mass was retreating on the 23rd, but before temperatures could rise above freezing, warmer, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico moved over the top of the cold air. The result was freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet over most areas.
• Winter Weather in Texas, December 23, 20082 eventsA shallow arctic airmass moved into the region a few days earlier resulting in near to slightly below freezing temperatures across portions of northeast Texas.
• Winter Weather in Oklahoma, December 23, 20081 eventA shallow arctic airmass moved into the region a few days earlier resulting in near to slightly below freezing temperatures across much of McCurtain County.
• Winter Storm in Michigan, December 23 to 24, 20087 eventsA disorganized area of low pressure moved from western Kansas through lower Michigan. Precipitation occurred over two periods. The first was associated with strong warm advection well ahead of the surface low.
• Winter Weather in Arkansas, December 23, 20081 death · 1 injured · 9 eventsA shallow arctic airmass moved into the region a few days earlier resulting in near to slightly below freezing temperatures across much of southwest Arkansas.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 23, 20082 deaths · 22 eventsWidespread freezing rain coated surfaces with up to one-tenth inch of ice. Due to very cold antecedent conditions, pavement temperatures were low enough that the initial drops of precipitation immediately created hazardous conditions.
• Winter Weather in Wisconsin, December 23, 200810 injured · 1 eventSnow from a winter weather system caused roads throughout the county to become quite slippery. Drivers had difficulty controlling their vehicles on the slippery roads, causing many of them to end up in ditches.
• Winter Weather in Illinois, December 23, 200819 eventsWidespread freezing rain coated surfaces with up to one-tenth inch of ice. Due to very cold antecedent conditions, pavement temperatures were low enough that the initial drops of precipitation immediately created hazardous conditions.
• Winter Weather in Missouri, December 23, 200811 eventsWidespread freezing rain coated surfaces with around one-tenth inch of ice. Locally higher amounts up to one-quarter inch were reported in the Ozark Foothills of Carter County.
• Winter Weather in Texas, December 23, 20085 injured · 11 eventsLift over a cold layer of air at the surface resulted in a glazing of light freezing rain. Even though the layer of ice was thin, numerous wrecks resulted with a few injuries. Indirect damages are estimated at $150,000.
• Winter Weather in Michigan, December 23, 20081 eventA low pressure system developing along the Wisconsin border dumped heavy snow over portions of Delta County on the 23rd.
• Winter Weather in Alabama, December 23, 20086 eventsA strong surface high over the Appalachian mountains kept temperatures at or just below freezing across much of northern Alabama Tuesday morning. At the same time, a strong southerly low level jet developed and lifted Gulf of Mexico moisture northward over this cold air.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, December 23, 20086 eventsWidespread freezing rain coated surfaces with up to one-tenth inch of ice. Due to very cold antecedent conditions, pavement temperatures were low enough that the initial drops of precipitation immediately created hazardous conditions.
• Winter Weather in Kansas, December 23 to 24, 20082 deaths · 20 injured · $200,000 · 6 eventsWarm air overrunning colder air at the surface resulted in widespread freezing drizzle and light freezing rain across portions of central, south-central and southeast Kansas from the 23rd through the early morning hours on the 24th.
• Winter Weather in Georgia, December 23, 20083 eventsAn Arctic air mass was retreating northeastward out of the region. Strong mid-level warm advection and a weak disturbance in southwest flow provided support for light precipitation.
• Winter Weather in Tennessee, December 23, 20081 eventA strong surface high over the Appalachian mountains kept temperatures at or just below freezing across much of northern Alabama Tuesday morning. At the same time, a strong southerly low level jet developed and lifted Gulf of Mexico moisture northward over this cold air.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 23, 20083 deaths · 4 injured · $185,000 · 4 eventsLight freezing rain developed during the afternoon of December 23rd. Ice accumulation on roads across the northern portions of Kentucky lead to numerous traffic accidents and several fatalities.
• Winter Weather in Indiana, December 23, 20082 deaths · $45,000 · 1 eventLight freezing rain the afternoon of December 23 led to numerous traffic accidents that resulted in two fatalities. Freezing rain changed into rain during the evening as temperatures rose.
• Winter Weather in Ohio, December 23, 20081 eventRain began as freezing rain late in the afternoon on the 23rd. Air temperatures were in the upper 20s and lower 30s. The ground was cold due to the temperatures in the single digits and teens on the 22nd.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 23, 20083 eventsRain began as freezing rain late in the afternoon on the 23rd. Air temperatures were in the upper 20s and lower 30s. The ground was cold due to the temperatures in the single digits and teens on the 22nd.
• Winter Weather in West Virginia, December 23, 20083 eventsRain began as freezing rain late in the afternoon on the 23rd. Air temperatures were in the upper 20s and lower 30s. The ground was cold due to the temperatures in the single digits and teens on the 22nd.
• Winter Weather in Kentucky, December 23, 2008$108,000 · 9 eventsFreezing rain fell across portions of Eastern Kentucky late in the afternoon into the evening hours of December 23rd. Light precipitation started out as sleet, freezing rain, and rain during the afternoon hours.
• Winter Weather in North Carolina, December 23, 20084 eventsFreezing drizzle and very light freezing rain developed near the Tennessee border during the late afternoon, causing slick spots to develop on roads, mainly in areas north of I-26. Numerous traffic accidents occurred.
• Heavy Snow in Alaska, December 23 to 24, 20083 eventsOn 12/23 arctic high pressure over the Yukon had moved well SE but cold air remained over the Panhandle. A 983 MB storm force low had moved into the central Gulf with a strong front approaching the coast.

The snowstorm of November 6 to 8, 2008The snowstorm of December 21 to 23, 2008Snow nowEvery winter storm filed

NOAA NCEI Regional Snowfall Index, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.