.UPDATE 12/22/2013…
.UPDATE 12/21/2013…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3fxQG8zmPA&w=420&h=315]
.UPDATE 12/20/2013…
After a morning of freezing rain and snow over southeast Iowa, that system will pull into the lower Great Lakes region. After a short break from it, the next major winter storm will take an aim at the central United States, with winter-related weather alerts extending from Michigan through Texas. A large band of heavy snow is expected to develop by Saturday with gusty winds creating blowing snow reducing visibilities across the state. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Allamakee through Taylor counties with a Winter Storm Watch outlining it. Snowfall totals will be fairly high for the most of the state with five to ten inches expected for the warning area.
Stay tuned to the Iowa Weather Network for the latest updates!
.ORIGINAL…12/18/2013…
A winter storm is expected to move into the area along a low pressure system southeast of Iowa. Models have shown consistencies in the last couple of days showing the storm moving into the southeast portion of the state.
First, the mixture threat of snow, rain, and freezing rain. Temperatures will be hovering around the freezing mark southeast of a line from Dubuque to Centerville. Freezing rain to a mixture will be possible early in these areas with rain possible in Des Moines, Lee, and Louisa counties. This trend is expected to continue through the early morning before switching to all snow by 4am. Total ice accumulations of a tenth or two will be possible.
Moderate to heavy snow is likely through the morning hours and continuing through noon. Models are showing this system to be a high-end system with accumulations of four to seven inches with accumulations to eight inches possible. Remember that this is still early and the models may change between now and then, but the models have remained fairly consistent. The heaviest snow accumulations will mainly be from the Bloomfield through Davenport area. Wind speed is another concern as sustained winds of 15-20 MPH with gusts to 30-35 MPH will result in visibilities dropping below a quarter of an inch. This will create blizzard-like conditions with hazardous driving conditions – consider changing plans now before the storms hit. Travel is not recommended during this time.
Stay with the Iowa Weather Network for the latest information and potential Winter Storm Watches in the coming days.