AMES, Iowa – Dec. 11, 2010; 2 p.m. update – A major winter storm is continuing to affect travel in the state. A winter weather warning remains in effect for all parts of Iowa, except the far southwest corner. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is closely monitoring travel conditions and issuing the following updated information.
Interstate road closure: Interstate 29 between exits 75 (Missouri Valley in Harrison County) and 143 (Sioux City in Woodbury County) in both north- and southbound directions is closed. This section of roadway will remain closed at least through the overnight hours Saturday. An assessment of conditions will be made Sunday morning to determine when the roadway can be reopened. The automated interstate mainline closure gate at Missouri Valley has been lowered. It is illegal to enter a closed roadway and bypass a barricade. The fine for attempting or successfully going around a drop-arm barrier or an entrance ramp gate is $195 ($100 fine, plus $95 surcharges and court costs).
Snowplows pulled off the roadway: The Iowa DOT has pulled all snowplows based in Alton, Akron, Ashton, Carroll, Cherokee, Correctionville, Denison, Emmetsburg, Ida Grove, Le Mars, Rock Rapids, Rock Valley, Rockwell City, Sac City, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Storm Lake from the roadways due to low visibility. Snow and high winds, gusting between 40 and 55 mph, are causing blizzard conditions.
Four-lane sections of U.S. 75 from Sioux City to Merrill and U.S. 20 from Sioux City to Moville will continue to be plowed; however, all other state roadways in Woodbury and Plymouth counties will not be maintained.
Travelers are advised that state roadways in these service areas will likely become impassable. Travel will be very hazardous and emergency rescue could be impossible.
Iowa travel forecast: A strong low-pressure system in north central Iowa will slide east-southeast this afternoon. The low will bring snow and wind to portions of the west, with rain changing to snow in the east. There is a dry slot in central Iowa that is bringing a break to the precipitation; it will move to the east through the rest of the afternoon with snow wrapping in on the back side. The snow is expected to start tapering off in the far northwest section of the state this evening with the back edge of this storm reaching the far east section of Iowa by midday Sunday. The heaviest snow is expected to fall across the northeast. Very strong winds are accompanying this storm, creating blowing, drifting and low visibility. The winds will slowly diminish on Sunday into Sunday night from northwest to southeast.
For the latest Iowa road conditions, visit: www.511ia.org or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide).
Conditions in neighboring states
Minnesota: A winter storm warning is in effect through 6 a.m. Sunday for much of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities. The Minnesota DOT and Minnesota State Patrol have closed westbound Interstate 90 from Albert Lea to the South Dakota border due extremely low visibility. High winds are expected to continue through the overnight hours. When a road is closed in Minnesota, it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.
South Dakota: Blizzard conditions are expected to last into the afternoon. Heavy snowfall and high winds are presently reducing visibility on Interstate 29 from Sioux City, Iowa, to Brookings, S.D.