Ice Storm — Wapello, Iowa

2024-12-14 · Wapello, Iowa

Event narrative

Reports of 0.25 inches line ice accumulation on trees, 0.35 inches flat ice accumulation on the ground, and 0.82 total rainfall with significant runoff at 7:30 AM. Ice accumulation of 0.40 inches by end of the event.

Wider weather episode

A shortwave deepened across the Rockies and into the Midwest with the surface low tracking across Kansas and into northern Missouri. Precipitation, mainly liquid rain, lifted north into the area on the evening of December 13th, quickly changing over to freezing rain around and shortly after midnight in central to southeast Iowa. Ice continued to accumulate through about noon when conditions began to warm enough to a transition back to liquid rain. Ice amounts were highest in eastern portions of Iowa where a quarter inch or more was reported with a lighter glaze towards central Iowa. This resulted in a number of accidents on area roads as conditions quickly became slick.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1228435. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.