RSS FeedsDecember 2008 - Record Snow Across Much of the Area
For snow lovers, December 2008 has been a dream come true. Numerous sites across the area recorded a record, or near-record month in terms of snowfall. A very active pattern which brought numerous strong weather systems across the center of the countrybrought measurable snow just about on an every-other-day basis during the month. This favorable storm track across the Nation's midsection guaranteed two things; the first (and most important for snow) was cold air being locked in place north of the storm track, and the second, a region of accumulating snow to the north of most low pressure systems this time of year.
Below is a general summary of the historic December snowfall around the area. To read about some of the larger snowfall events of December 2008, visit the following links:
- Winter Storm of December 3 2008
- Winter Storm of December 8-9 2008
- Winter Storm of December 14-15 2008
- Winter Storm of December 16 2008
- Winter Storm of December 18-19 2008
- Winter Storm of December 20 2008
- Winter Storm of December 22-23 2008
Snowfall Amounts and Temperatures - Graphics
Below are some images of the December 2008 snowfall (left), the snowfall departure from normal for that time period (center), and the temperature departures from normal also for that same period (right). Note the close comparison between the very cold (much below normal) temperatures in the region and the much above normal snowfall. These images courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center. (Click images for larger picture!)
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La Crosse, WI
During 2008, the official snow observer near La Crosse Municipal Airport recorded 32.7 inches of snow. This was the snowiest December ever recorded. The previous record was 30.4 inches back in 1990.
Below is a table of the top 10 snowiest Decembers at La Crosse. Period of record for snowfall is 1908-2008.
| Rank | Amount | Year |
| 1 | 32.7 | 2008 |
| 2 | 30.4 | 1990 |
| 3 | 26.6 | 1968 |
| 4 | 25.5 | 2000/1927 |
| 5 | 24.2 | 2007 |
| 6 | 21.9 | 1911 |
| 7 | 19.8 | 1969 |
| 8 | 19.5 | 1950 |
| 9 | 18.8 | 1977 |
Besides being the snowiest December on record, it was also the fourth snowiest month ever recorded. Monthly snowfall records date back to January 1883. The snowiest month was January 1996 when 35.0 inches of snow fell. The table below contains the ten snowiest months in La Crosse, WI.
| Rank | Amount | Year |
| 1 | 39.6 | January 1929 |
| 2 | 35.0 | January 1996 |
| 3 | 33.5 | March 1959 |
| 4 | 32.7 | December 2008 |
| 5 | 32.2 | January 1886 |
| 6 | 31.9 | January 1999 |
| 7 | 31.0 | February 1959 |
| 8 | 30.4 | December 1990 |
| 9 | 30.3 | November 1991 |
| 10 | 29.7 | January 1979 |
Rochester, MN
During 2008, the official snow observer near Rochester International Airport recorded 28.6 inches of snow. This was the third snowiest December. The greatest snowfall ever recorded in December was 35.3 inches in 2000.
Below is a table of the top 10 snowiest Decembers at Rochester. Period of record for snowfall is 1928-2008.
| Rank | Amount | Year |
| 1 | 35.3 | 2000 |
| 2 | 30.6 | 1969 |
| 3 | 28.6 | 2008 |
| 4 | 21.4 | 1950 |
| 5 | 20.8 | 1990 |
| 6 | 20.7 | 1968 |
| 7 | 19.6 | 1996 |
| 8 | 18.8 | 1977 |
| 9 | 18.3 | 1961/1940 |
Besides being the 3rd snowiest December on record, it was also the sixth snowiest month ever recorded. Monthly snowfall records date back to 1928. The snowiest month was January 1996 when 30.2 inches of snow fell. The table below contains the ten snowiest months in Rochester, MN.
| Rank | Amount | Year |
| 1 | 35.3 | December 2000 |
| 2 | 35.1 | March 1951 |
| 3 | 30.6 | December 1969 |
| 4 | 30.2 | January 1996 |
| 5 | 29.4 | January 1999 |
| 6 | 28.6 | December 2008 |
| 7 | 27.3 | January 1982 |
| 8 | 27.0 | January 1932 |
| 9 | 25.2 | March 1985 |
| 10 | 24.4 | January 1979 |
Sites Across The Area - Snowfall Totals in December 2008
The table below provides the December 2008 snowfall amounts for the area. Keep in mind, the average snowfall for the entire snow season (July 1st through June 30th ranges from 35 to 50 inches across the area.
| Location | State | Snowfall | December Rank |
| Necedah 2SE | WI | 36.6 | 1st |
| La Crosse NWS | WI | 35.4" | 1st |
| Platteville | WI | 35.2" | 1st |
| Waukon | IA | 34.9" | 1st |
| Hillsboro | WI | 34.7" | 1st |
| Grand Meadow | MN | 34.6" | 1st |
| Medford | WI | 34.5" | 1st |
| Preston | MN | 33.5" | 1st |
| Lanseboro | MN | 33.2" | 2nd |
| Mather 3NW | WI | 32.8" | 2nd |
| La Crosse | WI | 32.7" | 1st |
| Decorah | IA | 32.2" | 1st |
| Westby 1NE | WI | 31.7" | 1st |
| Galesville 1S | WI | 31.5" | 1st |
| Richland Center | WI | 30.3" | 2nd |
| Gays Mills | WI | 29.8" | 2nd |
| Postville | IA | 29.8" | 2nd |
| Fayette | IA | 29.6" | 3rd |
| Sparta | WI | 28.8" | 3rd |
| Rochester | MN | 28.6" | 3rd |
| Neillsville | WI | 28.4" | 4th |
| New Hampton | IA | 28.3" | 4th |
| Viroqua | WI | 28.3 | 2nd |
| Osage | IA | 27.6" | 1st |
| Hatfield | WI | 27.1" | 2nd |
| Charles City | IA | 27.0" | 1st |
| Caledonia | MN | 26.6" | 2nd |
| Mondovi | WI | 26.6" | 3rd |
| Winona Dam | MN | 26.5" | 2nd |
| Blair | WI | 26.1" | 3rd |
| Ontario | WI | 25.7" | 4th |
| Winona | MN | 24.9" | 4th |
| Dorchester | IA | 24.2" | 3rd |
| Elkader | IA | 23.4" | 3rd |
| Theilman | MN | 23.2" | 2nd |
| Lake City | MN | 21.9" | 2nd |
| Owen 3W | WI | 21.9" | 2nd |
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