A National Weather Service blizzard warning now engulfs almost a third of Iowa’s 99 counties, including all but a few in northern Iowa, and has been extended for another day.
The area includes the weather-plagued, southwest-northeast section of Interstate 35 from Ames to Clear Lake, with the roadway blocked in both directions by blowing snow. Hamilton County Sheriff Alex Pruismann in Webster City posted on Facebook that there had been numerous accidents on the highway.
The Worth County Sheriff’s Office reported I-35 also was blocked at the Minnesota border.
U.S 18 is closed east of Clear Lake with what the O’Brien County sheriff reported on Facebook were accidents in both directions.
Another county remains under a winter storm warning and a winter weather advisory has been extended south to the Interstate 80 and 29 corridors, including the Des Moines and Ames metros, where a fast-developing snow squall brought a burst of snow that prompted the weather service to issue a warning of possible whiteout conditions.
The squall moved across the state, hitting Newton, Marshalltown and Grinnell before dissipating. Another snow squall is hit Monona, Harrison and Shelby counties in western Iowa.
The blizzard warning is effective through 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29. It covers Blackhawk, Bremer, Butler, Calhoun, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Howard, Humboldt, Kossuth, Mitchell, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Worth and Wright counties.
The winter storm warning, covering Allamakee County, also has been extended to Monday.
The weather service says the counties under the blizzard warning can expect 2 to 7 inches of snow with extremely high and gusting northwest winds, creating potential whiteout conditions. Estherville Municipal Airport reported a gust of 62 mph.
The winter storm warning, taking effect at 3 p.m., covers an area extending into Wisconsin that could see 5 to 7 inches of snow and also high winds.
Rain preceded the snow in some areas, including in central Iowa, and could create especially hazardous conditions as temperatures across the state quickly fall. Untreated roads may become covered with ice, the Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Department of Transportation warn.
“Anticipate challenging to dangerous travel today and tonight, with travel discouraged in northern Iowa,” the weather service said.
Snow and high winds expected in central and eastern Iowa
Farther south, including the Des Moines and Iowa City metros, the forecast calls for rain, snow and sleet turning to all snow around 1 p.m. in central Iowa and 3 p.m. in eastern Iowa. Snow accumulation could range from less than half an inch to an inch or more and Des Moines International Airport reported a wind gust of 53 mph.
Temperatures Sunday in central and eastern Iowa started the day in the 40s but are expected to drop to a low of about 10 in central and eastern Iowa. Windchill will make the overnight temperature feel subzero, the weather service said.
Cold and wind to linger as week begins
The weather service said sunshine should return Monday, but with a high of 20 in central Iowa and continued wind until the evening. The low is expected to be a blustery 12 degrees.
Tuesday could bring a bit of a warmup, with a high of 36 and a low of 25 in the evening as clouds move in.
Wednesday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies with a high of 34 and a low of 17, and New Year’s Day will be partly sunny and colder, with a high of 26 and a low around 15.
Farther east, conditions could be more extreme as the week begins, with a full-on blizzard warning issued for parts of the Great Lakes region Monday, the weather service said.
Polk County to activate extreme temperature plan
In response to Sunday’s forecast, Polk County Emergency Management said it will activate its extreme temperature plan at 4 p.m. Sunday. The county activates the plan when temperatures reach certain thresholds: 10 degrees with wind chill for three or more days, 5 degrees with wind chill for two or more days or 0 degrees or less with wind chill for at least one day.
The plan includes weather amnesty at Central Iowa Shelter and Services, temporarily removing limitations on shelter nights; the opening of warming centers across the metro; and free transportation to the centers via DART bus service.
Where are warming shelters in Des Moines and central Iowa?
Warming centers in Des Moines include:
- Des Moines Scott-Four Mile Community Recreation Center, 3711 Easton Blvd.
- South Side Library, 1111 Porter Ave.
- Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave.
- Forest Avenue Library,1326 Forest Ave.
- Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave.
- Polk County Health Department, 1907 Carpenter Ave.
A full list of available warming centers can be found on the Polk County website, polkcountyiowa.gov. The county recommends calling ahead to check for availability. See which centers are along DART bus routes on the DART website, ridedart.com.
(This story has been edited to add new information.)
Kyle Werner is the Breaking News & Public Safety Reporter for the Register. Reach him at [email protected]
