Winter Storm in Monroe, Iowa

A surface low lifted out of the four corners region and into the central US, tracking across Missouri. A broad deformation zone on the north side of the system swept across the southern half of Iowa on January 1st, fed by moisture transport out of the Gulf and the Pacific Northwest. With ample moisture and deep saturation within the dendritic growth zone, snow to liquid ratios were rather high. A large portion of central and southeast Iowa saw snow accumulations of four to six inches, with localized pockets of seven to nine inch accumulations. This was accompanied by gusty winds ushering in arctic air. As snow was still falling in southern Iowa, winds gusted to between 25 to 35 mph with periods of visibility below a quarter mile. As the system exited the area, the arctic air mass settled in, and wind chills across northern Iowa dropped into the -20 to -30 degree range overnight into the morning of January 2nd.