Some of the recent snowfalls have not been record-breaking by any means — but when added all together — they’re leading to overall records across the state. National Weather Service forecaster, Brad Small, says the latest record fell in the capital city.
Small says Des Moines set the record for the highest snowfall on record for December at 27.2 inches, and that puts the city in third place for the highest monthly snowfall. Small says the record snowfall has left all of Iowa with white stuff on the ground.
He says the amounts vary from one foot around central Iowa to two feet in northwest Iowa, and some areas have over two feet. Small says having over one foot of snow cover this time of year is unusual. Small says Iowa’s just hasn’t had any break in the pattern that produces snow.
Small says we had the big snow that produced over one foot in parts of the state, but there have been continual snows that have added up to the extreme totals. Small says those snow piles that are predominant around driveways and parking lots won’t be going away anytime soon.
Small says there won’t be any melting as the temperatures are going to get colder as we head to the new year and there could be more snow on Wednesday, which would add to the snow totals. Small says the snowpack will work to keep temperatures colder.