During the first half of December, average temperatures were above normal in most of Iowa. 

A mid-December weather system brought some significant rainfall to many parts of the state, especially for December. In many areas, this rain was very beneficial for adding soil moisture. 

Beyond the middle of December, colder weather prevailed, culminating in an unusually cold period just prior to Christmas as Arctic air invaded nearly all of the central and eastern part of the nation. 

During this overall colder part of December, most of Iowa received some ...