Not much change to note in regards to the road situation across Iowa. Interstate 35 remains closed from mile marker 111 in Ames to mile marker 194 in Clear Lake. I do expect this to re-open hopefully sometime early this morning as cameras show much improved conditions along the Interstate. However, numerous accidents occurred along it yesterday and it will probably take a while to fully clean up. The Iowa DOT has nearly 100 plows in force right now across the state with several along the 35 corridor to keep things flowing.
US Highway 18 from I-35/Clear Lake to US-65/Mason City and Iowa Highway 175 from US-69/Ellsworth to US-65/Hubbard both also remain closed due to several accidents and blowing snow.
Travel is not advised on:
- Interstate 35 from the Iowa/Minnesota Border to Exit 194 (where it’s then impassable to Exit 111)
- US Highway 20 from Exit 116 to Exit 168
- US Highway 30 from Beave to Ames
- US Highway 69 from the Iowa/Minnesota border to Jewell
- Iowa Highway 3 from Humboldt to Hampton
- Iowa Highway 17 from Goldfield to Wesley
This advisory should hopefully be lifted as well sometime this morning. Most other roads, primarily north of Interstate 80, are partially covered with snow or ice. This should all be cleared up this morning by the plows, however drive carefully across these areas. Those across north central Iowa should try to stay home if at all possible. Many schools and businesses have delayed two hours or canceled for tomorrow. We will have to see how conditions look as we get closer to the mid-morning hours. Things should be alright after 10:00 a.m. however conditions may still be bad across the open country.
Tow bans remain in place for 13 counties across the state, including Hancock, Winnebago, Cerro Gordo, Worth, Mitchell, Floyd, Howard, Chickasaw, Franklin, Hamilton, Wright, Story, and Boone counties. These will probably be lifted sometime this morning.
The Winter Weather Advisory has been canceled or allowed to expire for much of the western extent of it. The eastern extent of the headline has been extended to 9:00 a.m. this morning. Again, it would not surprise me to see extended further into today, but we will have to see.
Stay tuned to the Iowa Weather Network for continued updates.