The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Des Moines has issued a winter storm warning for Dallas County in effect from noon Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. Four to seven inches or more of snow or a large accumulation of ice is forecast.
The winter storm warning comprises much of central Iowa. Though snow amounts may be somewhat similar, snow impacts will be slightly different. Northern Iowa will have
lighter and more fluffy snow that will be prone to blowing, while the snow in southern Iowa will be more wet, heavy and less prone to blowing.
Snow may have serious impacts to the Friday afternoon and evening commute in the Des Moines metro and Ames areas.
Thursday’s weather is also creating slick conditions as a weather system passes across the state. Over the north, light snow is falling. Across southern Iowa, the weather is a bit more messy, with patchy, freezing drizzle occurring along with areas of fog, the NWS said.
The light snow is making some roads slick, and the drizzle and fog conditions are creating a light glaze of ice on sidewalks, elevated surfaces and untreated roads. The Thursday morning commute could be difficult especially on secondary roads and elevated surfaces.
A second, stronger system will impact the state Friday into Friday night, bringing accumulating snow across Iowa. Snow will spread across the state Friday morning and into Friday afternoon, continuing through the evening hours into early Saturday morning.
North to northeast winds will increase Friday afternoon through Friday night, creating areas of blowing and drifting snow as well. There is the potential that some or much of the advisory area for Friday into Friday night may be upgraded to a warning.
Snowfall rates may be higher at times during the Friday afternoon commute, which could lead to slick, snow-covered roads and reduced visibilities.
Along with Dallas County, the winter storm warning includes the Iowa counties of Wright, Franklin, Butler, Bremer, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Black Hawk, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Audubon, 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, the winter storm warning comprises the cities of Eagle Grove, Clarion, Belmond, Hampton, Parkersburg, Clarksville, Shell Rock, Greene, Aplington, Allison, Dumont, Waverly, Webster City, Iowa Falls, Eldora, Ackley, Grundy Center, Reinbeck, Conrad, Dike, Wellsburg, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Jefferson, Boone, Ames, Marshalltown, Tama, Toledo, Traer, Dysart, Gladbrook, Audubon, Exira, 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.
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
ThePerryNews.com will update this weather forecast as conditions develop.
