Short term forecast-Our winter storm continues to rage on and cause major travel issues. The center of low pressure responsible for this storm is currently located in far southeast Nebraska, nearing southwest Iowa and it is moving very slowly to the east and north. There are three bands of concern right now in the state, one area of heavy snow is currently ongoing northwest corner of Iowa. this band has already brought major snowfall totals well over a foot approaching 15 inches. Winds are not quite as strong as earlier today but are still gusting over 40MPH in such cities as Sibley, Spencer, Sioux City and Le Mars. Expect light to moderate snow and strong winds to continue in this area for the next few hours. A new band of heavy sleet and snow reformed and is currently located in an area from Story City to Audubon to Red Oak. Thunder and lightning have seen reported in some areas with this band. It is moving north so those currently seeing a lull in the precipitation in the Mason City, Algona, Clarion and Waterloo areas will soon see heavy snow move back into the area. A final area of light rain mixing with sleet at times was located at Creston and Lenox and is moving north and will move towards Winterset, Des Moines, Ames and Newton. Areas where there is not rain dense fog has developed reducing the visibility to near a quarter-mile at times. Those in eastern Iowa from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids to Davenport can expect quiet conditions however fog has also developed in these areas which is reducing visibility to quarter to half a mile at times. This will last for the next several hours.

 

Road Conditions: Travel is not improving in the northwest where travel is still not advised as of 7:30pm. I-29 near Sioux City is still closed due to very poor travel. There is slight improvement in northern Iowa along and north of Highway 18 but it is still very tough going in this area as roads are completely snowcovered. Travel is very good right now in central, eastern and southern Iowa there are really no issues at all for all areas south of highway 20 and east of highway 169. Here roads are just wet since temperatures have warmed to the upper 30s.