The National Weather Services in La Crosse and Des Moines have upped a Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning.
The warning for north central Iowa will go into effect at noon Wednesday and for northeast Iowa at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening and will continue until 6 a.m. Saturday morning for all counties involved. In northeast Iowa counties in the warning area include Mitchell-Howard-Floyd-Winneshiek-Chickasaw- Fayette-Allamakee-Clayton. North central Iowa counties in the impact zone include Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Sac-Calhoun-Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Butler-Bremer-Grundy-Black Hawk.
A major winter storm will impact the region Wednesday night into Saturday. The storm is expected to produce heavy snow Wednesday night into Thursday morning before strong northwest winds develop Thursday through Saturday. The strongest winds will be Thursday night through Friday, with gusts as high as 45 mph and life-threatening wind chills as cold as 40 below zero. Blizzard conditions are possible Thursday night through Friday.
Heavy snow is expected Wednesday night. Blowing and drifting snow expected Thursday through Friday. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.Travel will be very difficult. Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact holiday travel. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. Life-threatening wind chills are expected Thursday through Saturday, dropping as low as 40 below zero Thursday night through Friday.
The NWS advises avoiding travel if possible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
The latest road conditions visit www.511ia.org or download the Iowa 511 app.
