Winter Storm (Dec. 20) Update #1

The Blizzard Warning has been expanded to include areas along and north of Highway 20, and areas along and west of I-35. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for northeast Iowa where snowfall amounts and winds will still create hazardous conditions, but won't quite reach blizzard criteria. Snowfall has continued to fall this morning across the state, with 2-4 inches expected across the northern third of the state. The central third of the state should see 1-3 inches, and the remainder of the state may see an inch or so. Although travel conditions aren't too bad at the moment with only snowfall, as a cold front sweeps over the state the winds will increase significantly this afternoon and continue into Sunday. These northwest winds will likely be sustained at 20-35 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. The combination of fresh snowfall and these winds will create blizzard or near-blizzard conditions across the northern third of the state of Iowa as well as areas of Minnesota and South Dakota. These blizzard conditions are likely to continue into Sunday morning and early afternoon, making traveling very hazardous or not impossible over some areas.

I did have one comment on the previous post asking about travel conditions, making the trip from near Rochester, MN to Des Moines, IA. While I can't say if they will be closing down I-90 or I-35; it will be a very hazardous trip to make anytime during the day today/tomorrow. It may have been best to make the trip early this morning, or else you can wait until later on Sunday and hopefully the winds may subside a little early. Updates may be posted as blizzard conditions begin and continue through today and tomorrow...