DES MOINES, Iowa —

Most of Iowa is entering this December in snowy shape, but the same month 25 years ago was much worse.

A quarter century ago, the Des Moines area endured its snowiest December on record.

Multiple snowstorms battered Iowa that month. In fact, measurable snow fell in Des Moines 14 different days and added up to a staggering 30.3 inches through Dec. 31.

Video above: Iowans endure cold and record snow in December 2000

Second-coldest December on record

Prolonged cold also gripped the state.

Temperatures fell below freezing ahead of the month's first winter storm on Dec. 10 and remained below 32 degrees until January 3 — that's 24 days straight .

Des Moines' average temperature ended up a mere 11.5 degrees for the month.

That was nearly 13 degrees colder than nor

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