(Des Moines) A strengthening winter storm will bring strong northwest winds with light to moderate snowfall to the area today.
Falling temperatures with bitterly cold conditions will follow late tonight into Thursday morning. The combination of falling snow and winds gusting more than 50 mph is expected to create blizzard conditions in the northwest and northern Iowa. Today, people with travel plans are encouraged to plan and be prepared to alter plans if travel is considered dangerous for portions of the northwest, northern Iowa, much of Minnesota, and the eastern Dakotas.
A Blizzard Warning is in effect for northwest Iowa from 10:00 a.m. to midnight. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches, with winds gusting from 40 to 55 mph leading to blowing snow. Light accumulations of snow are possible before 10:00 a.m. in the northwest and northern Iowa.
A Winter Storm Warning in effect for; Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, and Mills counties from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches and gusty winds of 40 to 55 miles per hour leading to blowing snow and light ice accumulations possible before 10:00 a.m. today.
Audubon, Cass, and Guthrie Counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory with snow accumulations up to two inches and wind gusts as high as 45 miles per hour from noon today to midnight tonight. Snow and blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility this afternoon and evening and result in hazardous travel.
