The National Weather Service in Johnston has issued a winter storm watch for Saturday, with 3 to 8 inches of blowing snow possible for the Perry area.
The impacts of the moderate to heavy snow over portions of southern Iowa will be felt New Year’s Day, the NWS said. The combination of strong north winds and a dry, more powdery snow will cause blowing and drifting snow and might cause significant travel problems in the areas affected.
Temperatures and wind chills through most of the Saturday event will be quite cold and with sub-zero wind chills expected all of Saturday through Saturday night, when the coldest air of the season moves into Iowa.
Snowfall totals along the northern edge of the watch area will be less, with ranges of 3 to 5 inches possible. Areas in southern Iowa nearer the Iowa Missouri border might see snowfall of 6 to 8 inches.
Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility and result in accidents. The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
Travelers should closely monitor later forecasts and alter or cancel travel plans as needed. Some uncertainty remains with the track of this storm, and forecast adjustments might still occur in the next 24 to 36 hours. If you must travel, keep a winter travel safety kit in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Along with Dallas County, other Iowa counties in the winter storm watch are Story, Marshall, Tama, Guthrie, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Cass, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Adams, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Taylor, Ringgold, Decatur, Wayne, Appanoose and Davis.
Along with Perry, cities in the winter storm watch include Ames, Marshalltown, Tama, Toledo, Traer, Dysart, Gladbrook, Guthrie Center, Panora, Bayard, Casey, Waukee, Adel, Des Moines, Newton, Grinnell, Atlantic, Greenfield, Stuart, Adair, Fontanelle, Winterset, Earlham, Indianola, Norwalk, Carlisle, Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Corning, Creston, Osceola, Chariton, Albia, Ottumwa, Bedford, Lenox, New Market, Mount Ayr, Lamoni, Leon, Corydon, Seymour, Allerton, Humeston, Centerville and Bloomfield.
ThePerryNews.com will update this weather story as forecasts evolve.
