(Des Moines) The National Weather Service says a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday to Midnight Saturday for Audubon, Guthrie, Adair, Adams, Cass, Union, Taylor, Ringgold, Pottawattamie, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, and Page counties.
A significant storm system with the potential for moderate to heavy snow over portions of central and southern Iowa will impact the area New Year`s Day. The combination of strong north winds and a dry, more powdery snow will cause blowing and drifting snow and potentially significant travel problems in the areas affected. Also, temperatures and wind chills through most of the event will be quite cold and with sub-zero wind chills expected by early Saturday through Saturday night when the coldest air of the season moves into Iowa. Dangerous wind chill values are expected across northern Iowa.
Total snow accumulations of 4 to 9 inches with the heaviest amounts of near 6 inches along Interstate 80 and up to 9 inches south of Interstate 80. Lesser accumulations of 4 to 5 inches expected north of Interstate 80. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility to 1/2 mile or less at times. The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Monona, Harrison and Shelby counties with total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches.
A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for Crawford, Carroll, Monona, Harrison, and Shelby counties from 9 p.m. this evening to 6 a.m. Saturday.
Meanwhile, a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until Noon.
