(Area) The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for Crawford, Carroll, Audubon, Guthrie, Cass, Adair, Adams, Union, Taylor and Ringgold counties in southwest Iowa from 10 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 6 p.m. this evening to 10 a.m. Friday for all of southwest Iowa.
This dangerous storm starts this evening with snow spreading into the state and persisting into Friday with heavy accumulations. Winds then increase Friday morning with life threatening blizzard conditions expected into Friday afternoon and Friday night.
Snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches expected by late Friday afternoon. Winds will gust as high as 45 mph. Visibilities below one quarter of a mile will be common with whiteout conditions.
The Weather Service says storms of this magnitude are fairly rare with recurrence around once or twice per decade. Travel is not recommended except if absolutely necessary, especially by Friday afternoon and Friday night. Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.
