Mother Nature had been quiet in central Iowa over the past 18 months – following the torrential floods – though she returned with a vengeance on Tuesday the 8th, causing schools and businesses to cut their day short. These photos were taken at my home on the SE side of Des Moines near Easter Lake.

The pristine record snowfall had yet been undisturbed by wind, as light gusts only occasionally sent a quilt of snow off the roof. The accumulation on our deck rails, grill, and tabletop was eclipsing the one foot mark around midnight. 25-35 mph winds are expected to follow, with gusts exceeding 45 miles per hour. A blizzard warning remains in effect for the entire state through noon Wednesday. Travel is all-but-prohibited while all schools and over 200 metro businesses will remain shuttered through the day.

I remember annual snows like this as a child in the 70s and early 80s but haven't seen this much snow locally since my elementary school days.

Music: Juicy Groove by John Feuling (ASCAP) ©2009