Shot of Snow

Snow showers should begin to work into the state overnight tonight, affecting areas of western and north-central Iowa mainly. This snow should however overtake the entire state by mid-day on Thursday and continue into the nighttime hours on Thursday for eastern Iowa. Light to moderate snow showers are expected, although traveling may become hazardous on occasion in some of the moderate bands with any winds that may be occurring. Do not expect this system to hamper travel plans too much though, just take a little extra time if you are traveling.

A for amounts, the heaviest snowfall totals are expected over areas that are north and west of a line from Omaha, NE to Waterloo to LaCrosse, WI. These areas should see 2-3 inches of snow with occasional 4 inch amounts not out of the question. Areas south and east of that line as well as some portions of extreme northwest Iowa may only see 1-2 inch amounts with an occasional 3 inch report. The only portions of the state that may not see an inch will be areas of extreme south-central and southeastern Iowa. These areas may see a mix of rain/snow and with no snow on the ground currently it will take more to show good accumulations.

As for temperatures, expect lows tonight in the mid 20s to lower 30s from northwest to southeast across the state. Highs tomorrow will be hampered by the clouds and snow showers making their way across the state, near 30 still in the northwest to only the mid 30s in the southeastern portions of the state. As this system moves out Thursday night, clearing skies across the west and central thirds of the state will allow temperatures to drop into the lower teens to lower 20s. The eastern third of the state may still see some isolated snow showers, with mostly cloudy skies over the area keeping temperatures into the mid 20s.