A strong, large, and hazardous storm system will impact Iowa later this week. Forecasts have been uncommonly consistent with the system for multiple days…as for the tracking of it. A deep low pressure system will setup in the four corners and up to OK/KS before it moves across Nebraska and South Dakota. As it nears our area, it is clear that a large area of snow will lift northeastward/northward in a warm air advection regime. Precipitation amounts and timing is still in the air…but accumulating snow appears very likely across the entire state as it makes it’s way across the area Thursday and Thursday night.

Another issue that will have to pay close attention to is the surface low that is deepening quicker than expected that will proceed to very strong gusty winds Thursday afternoon through evening. The combination of this snow system along with very gusty winds will create dangerous road conditions…and the National Weather Service offices are noted that they will likely issue Blizzard/Winter Storm watches/warnings as the week goes on.

Behind this, a dry area will work into the large system during Thursday’s early evening. However, confidence exists that along with plentiful moisture, forcing, and a persistence deep cloud layer…light snow will continue throughout the overnight and early morning hours. Another area of concern (one of many) is that forecast soundings are showing temperatures hovering above or below 32 degrees, making light accumulatable freezing rain or light wet snow possible. Once this moves by, another snow period will be likely. So…we will see a long period of heavy snow during the afternoon and evening, followed by light freezing rain or light snow during the late evening through overnight, before more snow late Thursday into early Friday. This in combination with strong winds will create travel VERY dangerous and just an overall mess for the entire state. Please continue to monitor for later updates and likely warnings.