The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING effective at Midnight tonight until Midnight Saturday morning for the counties highlighted in pink on the image above.

TIMING…SNOW WILL SPREAD INTO NORTHWESTERN IOWA SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT AND REACH NORTHEASTERN IOWA BEFORE SUNRISE. THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL WILL BE DURING THE DAY ON FRIDAY.

STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 7 INCHES ARE EXPECTED…WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

WINDS/VISIBILITY…WINDS OF 10 TO 15 MPH WITH INTERMITTENT HIGHER GUSTS ARE FORECAST. THIS WILL LEAD TO SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES…ESPECIALLY WHILE SNOW IS FALLING.

IMPACTS…MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW WILL EXACERBATE THIS THREAT. IN ADDITION…DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS BELOW ZERO ARE EXPECTED ON FRIDAY AND ESPECIALLY FRIDAY NIGHT.

The National Weather Services in La Crosse and the Quad Cities have issued Winter Storm Watches for the same time period. These may be upgraded later today. Snowfall in these areas may also reach 5-8″ as well. Stay tuned for later updates.