Iowans have been patiently waiting for snow, and snow we got — lots of it. After setting a record on Jan. 9, another system arrived late Thursday night and will bring dangerous conditions to the state throughout the day on Friday.
Snow started falling in Des Moines just before midnight Friday morning. Here are the latest updates as blizzard conditions arrive:
What to expect throughout the day on Friday
The morning will start with periods of heavy snow, continuing until about 10 a.m. for central Iowa. An additional 3-5 inches of snow is possible by the end of the day. Snowfall rates of about .75 inch to one inch per hour are possible throughout the morning, according to the NWS.
But the weather service warned that blizzard conditions will make travel dangerous or impossible. A blizzard warning will be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday for central Iowa as wind speeds pick up and reduce visibility. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph and wind speeds between 35 and 45 mph are likely.
Temperatures are expected to plunge throughout the day to 13 degrees by 5 p.m. Wind chills could feel as low as -10 degrees, according to the NWS, adding to the danger for motorists stuck outside.
Snow is expected to taper off over central Iowa tonight. But even after snow stops falling it will continue blowing and make travel difficult. “Blowing snow impacts will linger well beyond the end of falling snow, especially in rural and open areas,” the NWS in Des Moines warned in its 6 a.m. update.
Highways in Iowa are covered in snow; Iowa DOT asks drivers to stay off the roads
The Iowa Department of Transportation wrote on social media that road conditions are trying their best to keep up with deteriorating road conditions Friday morning. With bands of nearby snow and strong winds, visibilities are near zero in some locations, the post said. “Our crews are out, but roads may drift over quickly after a plow passes,” the post said.
Every major highway across Iowa was covered with snow as of 6 a.m. Friday.
Roads across the northern portion of the state were partially covered with snow. Every highway across southern, central and eastern Iowa was completely covered with snow, according to Iowa 511.
“Travel is expected to be nearly impossible in rural areas today,” Iowa 511 wrote on social media at 4 a.m. “Please stay off the roads if possible.”
A handful of issues were reported because of the snow, according to Iowa 511. A crash on Interstate Highway 80 just west of Williamsburg blocked traffic in both directions. This area experienced significant issues during this week’s earlier winter storm.
No major issues were reported on roads in Des Moines, but roads in Des Moines were snow covered.
Few flights taking off or arriving at Des Moines Airport
Few flights got in and out of the Des Moines International Airport Friday morning.
As of 6 a.m., 43 flights scheduled to go into or leave from the Des Moines International Airport were canceled, according to FlightAware.com. Three other flights were delayed, according to FlightAware.
That represents about 40% of flights originally scheduled to take off from the airport on Friday and nearly a third of inbound flights.
At least one flight, an American Airlines route to Dallas-Fort Worth did take off Friday morning.
Traveling on Interstates 35 or 80 and need to escape the blizzard? These are safe places to park.
With difficult travel conditions likely, Polk County has designated the following locations as safe places for interstate travelers to pull over and wait out blizzard conditions.
- Prairie Meadows: 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona
- Flying J Travel Plaza: 3231 Adventureland Drive, Altoona
- Pilot Travel Center: 11957 Douglas Parkway, Urbandale
- Love’s Travel Stop: 11820 Hickman Road, Clive
Des Moines Public Schools, others cancel classes for Friday ahead of blizzard
Des Moines Public Schools announced Thursday afternoon that classes will be canceled for Friday due to the forecast. All activities are canceled, and Metro Kids Care is closed. All offices will be closed.
Other large metro school districts including Johnston, Southeast Polk and Waukee have also canceled Friday classes. Urbandale had a previously scheduled professional work day without classes on Friday. Staff will work remote and child care will not be available.
NWS issues blizzard warning for most of Iowa on Friday
A blizzard warning will be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday in northwest and central Iowa, according to the National Weather Service. In eastern Iowa, a blizzard warning starts at 5 p.m. Friday and extends until noon on Saturday.
Wind gusts as high as 40 mph are expected Friday afternoon and night, which will blow around snow and reduce visibility. Travel is expected to be very difficult, and is recommended to be avoided if possible.
What’s the difference between a blizzard warning and a winter storm warning?
Blizzard warnings are issued for frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, according to NWS. Blizzards frequently reduce visibility to less than 1/4 mile for three hours or more.
A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected — as in the case right now — or already occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely, leading to whiteout conditions making travel extremely difficult.
NWS recommends Iowans not travel during a blizzard warning. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help to arrive.
Winter storm warnings are issued for a significant winter weather event that includes snow, ice, sleet or blowing snow or a combination of these hazards. Travel is often difficult or impossible when winter storm warnings are in effect. If a winter storm warning is in effect, you should consider delaying your travel plans until conditions improve.
Des Moines Performing Arts postpones STOMP performances
Performances by musical group STOMP, originally scheduled Jan. 12-14 at the Des Moines Civic Center, have been postponed due to “anticipated weather conditions,” according to a Thursday evening press release.
According to the release, all four performances have been rescheduled for June 21-23. All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the new dates.
Ticketholders can contact the Ticket Office at 515-246-2300 or info@dmpa.org.
When is snow supposed to start in Iowa and what does the forecast show?
Snowfall will begin over western Iowa late Thursday afternoon, according to National Weather Service’s Des Moines office.
On Thursday, there’s a 70% chance of snow in Ames at 6 p.m., an 85% chance in Carroll at 6 p.m. and a 75% chance in Des Moines at 6 p.m.
Heaviest snowfall rates will be early Friday morning through mid-day. There is also a chance of freezing rain in the morning on Friday.
How much snow will Iowa get?
The NWS says significant snow will come to most of the state. Snow could fall at as much as an inch an hour during the overnight hours on Thursday. Wind gusts of 35-45 miles per hour will create “near-blizzard” conditions and could create whiteout conditions.
Most of the state is looking at 5-10 inches of snowfall with the heaviest areas landing around Des Moines, Ames and Carroll. Heavier pockets are also possible around Waterloo and Dubuque.
Des Moines has gotten a lot of snow this week. Will it set another record?
Maybe! The official total at the Des Moines International Airport from the first snowstorm this week was 11.2 inches.
The current 5-day record in Des Moines is 22.7 inches (Dec. 28, 1941 – Jan. 1, 1942), according to a post from the NWS. If Des Moines gets 10 more inches, we won’t break that record. But, we could break the second-place record of 20.2 inches (March 14-18, 1923).
DART expects bus service delays as snow approaches
Winter weather will likely delay metro bus services Thursday evening through Saturday, and especially on Friday, according to a news release from the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority.
Those using DART Paratransit, On Demand, or Flex Connect services, should prepare for ride delays depending on the amount of snowfall and blizzard-like conditions, DART officials said. DART officials will not be able to pick up or drop off passengers in parking lots that have not been plowed.
Here are the possible service delays depending on the amount of snowfall, according to DART:
- 2 to 3 inches of snow: Pick-up times could be delayed by 30 to 60 minutes.
- 3 to 5 inches: Pick-up times could be delayed by 60 minutes or more.
- 5 to 8 inches: Pick-up times could be significantly delayed by more than 60 minutes. Customers with non-critical trips are asked to reschedule trips for another day.
Buses running more than 20 minutes late will be posted on DART’s website.
How cold will temperatures get in Iowa?
The winter storm will also be accompanied by bitter cold temperatures.
Highs across the state will be in the teens to mid-20s on Thursday and will drop into the single digits by Saturday.
Wind gusts will be in the 30-40 miles per hour range through the weekend. Wind chills will reach their lowest levels on Sunday with ranges in the -20 to -45 range across the state.
Are snow ordinances and parking bans in place in central Iowa?
Parking restrictions automatically kick in for most cities in central Iowa once 2 inches of snow have fallen. Often cities will activate restrictions in advance of major snowstorms.
More:Des Moines snow parking rules: Where and when it’s safe, and where you could be ticketed
Here are the metro cities that have announced restrictions ahead of this winter storm:
- Altoona: The snow removal parking ban is in effect in Altoona beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11 through 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13 or until all city roadways are cleared.
- Ames: A snow ban will start at 10 p.m. Thursday for all snow routes marked by red and white signs. The ban continues until roads are completely cleared curb to curb, likely until Saturday morning.
- Ankeny: Parking is not allowed on all public streets, alleys and on-street parking within the city from 9 p.m. Thursday to 9 p.m. Saturday. Vehicles parked on the street during the snow ordinance will be ticketed $40 and may be towed. Parking is also prohibited in The District at Prairie Trail and Uptown Business District from 2-6 a.m.
- Clive: Residents are asked to move their parked vehicles from city streets.
- Des Moines: Snow ordinances are in place. Parking is prohibited on designated snow routes. In odd/even neighborhoods: Drake, Carpenter, River Bend and Sherman Hill. Signage will direct drivers on which side of the street to park based on the day of the week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Indianola: Prohibits parking on any public street or alley, this ordinance remains in effect for 48 hours after the snow has stopped falling or until the streets are clear.
- Johnston: The City of Johnston has declared a snow ordinance effective Thursday at 6 p.m. until Friday, Jan. 12 at 5p.m. During this time, no parking is allowed on city streets. If residents park on a city street, they could receive a ticket.
- Waukee: A parking ban will start at 7 p.m. Thursday and continue until 5 p.m. Saturday. Cars left on city streets are subject to $25 fines and/or towing.
- West Des Moines: An emergency parking ban for snow removal goes into effect Thursday at 10 p.m. and lasts until 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12. The parking ban applies to all streets in West Des Moines, and cars are subject to a $50 fine and/or towing.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her atvreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter@VictoriaReynaR.
