A winter storm hits central Iowa. Here's what to expect from snow to school closures
You didn't think we were done with snow, did you?
It's Iowa. It's January. So here it comes again. Here is a quick run through of everything you need to know.
How much will it snow in Des Moines and central Iowa?
The storm started with rain in the Des Moines metro Wednesday afternoon as the temperature hovered above freezing, but by Wednesday evening, it turned to heavy, blowing snow. The storm is expected to wind down through the morning on Thursday.
The National Weather Service in an updated forecast said total snowfall through 9 a.m. Thursday in the region could range from 1-3 inches south of Interstate 80, with one-tenth of an inch of ice, to 2-4 inches north of the interstate, with a light glaze of ice. Ames is forecast to get between 3 and 7 inches. Further north, it warned that Mason City could get as much as 9 inches.
An additional 1 to 2 inches of snow could fall through mid-day Thursday.
How much snow did Des Moines and central Iowa get Wednesday? Top snow totals in the state
Will Iowa schools close and give students a snow day?
Most central Iowa schools held classes as scheduled on Wednesday. Some smaller districts dismissed students two hours early. In the metro, Ankeny and Urbandale schools, St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines also closed early. A large number of districts canceled evening activities. Check with your local school district for exact details.
Many rural school districts and some Des Moines' Catholic schools issued two hour delays for Thursday morning.
What winter weather warnings or advisories are in place for Iowa?
Much of the state, including Ames, is under a winter storm warning, while a southwest-northeast swath extending from Council Bluffs to Dubuque and including the Des Moines metro is under a less severe winter weather advisory. Both are slated to continue through 9 a.m. Thursday. A large portion of eastern Iowa, from Clinton to Keokuk and including Iowa City, is expected to get little or no accumulating frozen precipitation
Iowa weather: What's a snow squall? Here's what it means and why you should care
How cold will it get?
While the snow is falling it won't get much below freezing in the Des Moines metro and Ames, according the weather service. But temperatures are expected to drop throughout the day Thursday, with overnight low in the teens Thursday and Friday.
Northern parts of the state will primarily see snow, with the heaviest periods Wednesday evening and early Thursday.
More weather:Blizzards have been a hazard of Iowa life for a long time. Here's what to know about them
Are local snow ordinances in effect?
Several communities have activated their snow ordinances. Generally, these limit on-street parking and require sidewalks to be cleared after the snow stops.
In the metro, that includes:
Altoona starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Ames starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Bondurant starting at noon Wednesday.
Clive for 48 hours after snow stops or until roads are clear
Des Moines starting at 7 a.m. Thursday
Grimes from 5 p.m. Wednesday to noon Thursday.
Indianola for 48 hours after snow stops or until roads are clear.
Johnston from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 5 p.m. Friday.
Marshalltown starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Urbandale starting at noon Wednesday until snow has stopped and roads are clear.
Waukee from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 5 p.m. Thursday.
West Des Moines from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 5 p.m. Thursday.
The city of Des Moines advised residents to watch the DMSnow.org webpage or the Des Moines Public Works Facebook page, or follow @dmdpw on Twitter for the latest updates. It also reminded residents that they must clear their sidewalks of snow within 48 hours after snowfall ends.
Winter driving tips: How to keep safe while driving on slick Iowa roads
What are Iowa road conditions like?
Unlike the pre-Christmas blizzard, this snow was of the wetter variety, making whiteouts less likely, and the temperatures won't be so low as to preclude effectively treating roadways.
As of 7:15 a.m. Thursday morning, most highways in central Iowa were seasonal or partially covered. To the north and west many roads were completely covered. Tow bans are also in place for many counties along Interstate Highway 80, Insterstate Highway 35 (particularly south of Des Moines) and Highway 30 (primarily east of I-35).
Southbound Interstate 35 was briefly blocked south of Osceola by a multi-vehicle accidents around 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Iowa State Patrol reported.
"This snow will continue tonight, so please take it slow and use extra caution with any travel!" the National Weather Service's Urbandale office tweeted.
The Iowa DOT recommends checking the weather forecast and road conditions before deciding to head out on the roads and postponing trips if conditions aren't ideal.
To check Iowa road conditions online, go to Iowa 511, with an interactive map that shows hazards and road closures, winter weather warnings and more.
More weather:How to check Iowa road conditions, DOT cameras amid winter storms
Will my Des Moines Register newspaper delivery be delayed?
Most subscribers in central Iowa should receive their paper at or near their regular time. All subscribers also have access to our e-Edition at DesMoinesRegister.com/eEdition.
Papers in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area may be delayed but should be delivered by 9 a.m. Due to hazardous road conditions overnight, some subscribers in western and northwest Iowa may not receive their paper until Friday morning.
Subscribers needing assistance may visit help.desmoinesregister.com or call 1-877-424-0225
Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter at @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa winter storm hits Wednesday. Here are forecasts, what to expect
