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OVERNIGHT UPDATE: Conditions Rapidly Deteriorating

| by Henry Luker

Roads continue to rapidly deteriorate across the area at this early hour with numerous accidents across west central Iowa and travel not advised in north central Iowa. Light snow has overspread much of the state per airport weather observations, and with winds in the 25-35 MPH sustained range (gusts to 50 MPH), travel has become extremely dangerous to impossible for many areas. Visibilities have dropped below 2 miles for much of the state with this snowfall. Here is a break down on the travel impacts seen thus far (updated 3:30 am):

  • ACCIDENTS/ROAD BLOCKS
    • The left lane of US 20 eastbound between County Road R61 and Exit 155 (County Road R77/Williams) is blocked because of a jacknifed semi trailer.
    • IA 3 eastbound between IA 140/County Road L14 and IA 143/County Road L36 (near Remsen) is blocked due to a stalled vehicle.
  • TOW BANS
    • Adair, Boone, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Hancock, Floyd, Mitchell, Pottawattamie, Winnebago, Worth
  • TRAVEL NOT ADVISED

    • Interstate 35
      • Between Exit 128 (North of Sioux City) to the Iowa/Minnesota Border
    • US Highway 18
      • Between Iowa Highway 17 (Wesley Area) to Interstate 35 (Clear Lake Area)
    • US Highway 69
      • Between US Highway 20 (Blairsburg Area) to the Iowa/Minnesota Border
    • Iowa Highway 3
      • Between US Highway 169 (Humboldt Area) and US Highway 65 (Hampton Area)
    • Iowa Highway 9
      • Between US Highway 69 (Forest City Area) and Interstate 35 (Hanlontown Area)
      • Between US Highway 169 (Lakota Area) and Country Road R50 (Thompson Area)
    • Iowa Highway 17
      • Between Country Road C56 (Eagle Grove Area) to US Highway 18 (Wesley Area)

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Blizzard Warnings remain in effect for north central, central, and northwestern Iowa until later tonight. The worst impacts are expected in this area. While snow has likely hardened overnight from the colder temperatures, sustained high winds will likely break much of this up and lead to whiteout conditions. Travel within this area will be extremely dangerous to impossible. Please take extra caution if you must travel this morning. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the areas where the wind impact will not be as great.

Several schools have also delayed school by two hours or canceled. The latter option here will likely be seen more widely by the morning hours.

Stay tuned to the Iowa Weather Network for the latest updates.