Des Moines, Iowa – A colder, storm-energized pattern is settling across Iowa as December begins, prompting a December Snow Alert while winter in Des Moines turns more active. While it’s too early to determine exactly how many inches of snow could fall, one thing is clear: Iowa is positioned for an above-average amount as Arctic air aligns with frequent disturbances passing through the central Plains.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures and near- to above-normal precipitation are favored across Iowa through December. According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, this setup supports multiple early-winter storm windows, including clippers, strong cold fronts, and the occasional southern-stream system capable of sweeping north with widespread accumulating snow.
According to Iowa DOT, travel hazards will likely increase along I-80, I-35, Highway 30, and the Des Moines metro beltways as colder mornings promote black ice and quick bursts of heavier snow reduce visibility. Untreated roads, bridges, and rural stretches may become slick before sunrise. Drivers should charge devices, keep winter kits ready, and build in extra time during colder periods.
Holiday events across Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids may face timing adjustments if storm tracks strengthen during evening hours. Residents should dress in layers, protect exposed pipes, and prepare for brief outages if wetter snow or gusty winds bring down limbs.
While exact snowfall totals remain uncertain this early, long-range trends continue to favor a colder, storm-active pattern — raising confidence that Iowa is headed for a snowy December and improving White Christmas odds across central and eastern Iowa.
