The National Weather Service office in Johnston has issued a winter storm warning for the Perry area to last from noon Wednesday until 6 a.m. Saturday, with as much as 6 inches of snow, winds gusting to 50 mph and wind chill temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero possible.
Snow and blowing snow will begin around noon on Wednesday and continue into Friday night, the NWS said, and blizzard conditions will be possible from Thursday morning into Friday.
Snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are forecast, with locally higher amounts possible. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph or greater might occur late Thursday through Friday, and extreme cold and wind chills of 20 to 40 below will be common across north-central and west-central Iowa, according to the NWS.
People with holiday travel planned from late Wednesday through Friday are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to forecast updates and road conditions and prepare accordingly if travel is a must. Altering travel plans, if possible, is strongly encouraged.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest travel conditions, check the Iowa 511 app or dial 511. Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow and possible blizzard conditions will significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
ThePerryNews.com will update this weather story as forecasts evolve.
