A powerful winter storm is expected to impact the Midwest this weekend bringing more high winds and the potential for snow, and blowing snow creating significant travel disruptions, especially for northern Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.A winter storm watch is in effect Sunday morning through Monday morning. This is when the high winds could combine with snow to produce whiteout conditions.Here’s what you need to know:Winter storm watchAll but southern portions of Iowa are now included in a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Sunday through Monday morning. High winds and snow will combine to create potential whiteout conditions at times and extremely difficult or dangerous travel, especially for farther north and east portions of the state. There is a low chance fora brief icy mix, but most areas should not see much in the way of ice. Blizzard Warnings are already in place for parts of South Dakota and Minnesota. At least portions of the watch area in Iowa will likely be upgraded to a blizzard warning before this system arrives Sunday.Winter storm moves in SundayA strong Colorado Low will move into Iowa Sunday, bringing some rain showers and even a storm or two to central Iowa during the morning. Temperatures will start off in the 40s and even 50s near and south of Highway 30. Colder air could lead to some light mixed precipitation near the Minnesota border, but impacts should be limited through the early morning hours.A cold front sill surge through by midday, leading to quickly dropping temperatures and increasing winds. At the same time, rain will change to snow from northwest to southeast across the area, likely changing over by mid-afternoon in the metro. By early evening, wind gusts of at least 50mph are likely, with some gusts over 60mph possible. Snow should taper off overnight, ending for central Iowa by sunrise on Monday, and pushing out of eastern Iowa by mid-morning. However, gusty winds will continue through at least midday Monday. This means blowing snow and potential whiteout conditions could linger through the morning hours.Remember: A blizzard warning indicates high winds and low visibility, it does not tell you anything about the amount of snow expected. To reach blizzard criteria, winds must be gusting over 35mph with visibility at a 1/4 mile or less for 3 or more consecutive hours.Expected snowfall accumulationsParts of Minnesota and Wisconsin have the potential for over a foot of snow with 20 or more inches possible in some areas. For northern and eastern Iowa, several inches of snow is likely, with some potential for over 6 inches close to the Minnesota border. This is the area that will see the worst conditions.Amounts will be lower in central and southwest Iowa, but there will still be enough snow to cause treacherous travel when combined with the strong winds. Driving will still be tough Monday morning as snow continues to blow in 30-40 mph winds. Frigid wind chills follow Despite temperatures starting in the 50s on Sunday, colder air will quickly take over with readings close to freezing by the afternoon. Temperatures fall into the 20s and teens during the evening, with wind chills approaching zero by 10pm.Monday morning will bring wind chills of -10 to -20 degrees to most of the state, with only limited warming for the afternoon.
DES MOINES, Iowa —
A powerful winter storm is expected to impact the Midwest this weekend bringing more high winds and the potential for snow, and blowing snow creating significant travel disruptions, especially for northern Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
A winter storm watch is in effect Sunday morning through Monday morning. This is when the high winds could combine with snow to produce whiteout conditions.
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Sunday is a Weather Alert Day for damaging wind potential and blowing snow with dangerous travel conditions.
Here’s what you need to know:
Winter storm watch
All but southern portions of Iowa are now included in a Winter Storm Watch in effect from Sunday through Monday morning. High winds and snow will combine to create potential whiteout conditions at times and extremely difficult or dangerous travel, especially for farther north and east portions of the state. There is a low chance fora brief icy mix, but most areas should not see much in the way of ice.
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Winter Storm Watch for most of the state Sunday through Monday morning.
Blizzard Warnings are already in place for parts of South Dakota and Minnesota. At least portions of the watch area in Iowa will likely be upgraded to a blizzard warning before this system arrives Sunday.
Winter storm moves in Sunday
A strong Colorado Low will move into Iowa Sunday, bringing some rain showers and even a storm or two to central Iowa during the morning. Temperatures will start off in the 40s and even 50s near and south of Highway 30. Colder air could lead to some light mixed precipitation near the Minnesota border, but impacts should be limited through the early morning hours.
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High winds Sunday afternoon as rain changes to snow with cold air surging in.
A cold front sill surge through by midday, leading to quickly dropping temperatures and increasing winds. At the same time, rain will change to snow from northwest to southeast across the area, likely changing over by mid-afternoon in the metro. By early evening, wind gusts of at least 50mph are likely, with some gusts over 60mph possible.
Hearst Owned
Strong winds return generating gusts 50mph or greater causing substantial blowing snow.
Snow should taper off overnight, ending for central Iowa by sunrise on Monday, and pushing out of eastern Iowa by mid-morning. However, gusty winds will continue through at least midday Monday. This means blowing snow and potential whiteout conditions could linger through the morning hours.
Remember: A blizzard warning indicates high winds and low visibility, it does not tell you anything about the amount of snow expected. To reach blizzard criteria, winds must be gusting over 35mph with visibility at a 1/4 mile or less for 3 or more consecutive hours.
Hearst Owned
A blizzard warning means high winds and low visibility for several hours.
Expected snowfall accumulations
Parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin have the potential for over a foot of snow with 20 or more inches possible in some areas. For northern and eastern Iowa, several inches of snow is likely, with some potential for over 6 inches close to the Minnesota border. This is the area that will see the worst conditions.
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Potential snowfall across Iowa Sunday evening into Monday morning.
Amounts will be lower in central and southwest Iowa, but there will still be enough snow to cause treacherous travel when combined with the strong winds.
Driving will still be tough Monday morning as snow continues to blow in 30-40 mph winds.
Frigid wind chills follow
Despite temperatures starting in the 50s on Sunday, colder air will quickly take over with readings close to freezing by the afternoon. Temperatures fall into the 20s and teens during the evening, with wind chills approaching zero by 10pm.
Hearst Owned
Frigid wind chills of -10 to -20 Monday morning
Monday morning will bring wind chills of -10 to -20 degrees to most of the state, with only limited warming for the afternoon.