Winter Weather (Dec. 14-15)

Plenty of updates today with this strong system moving through the plains states, and directly over the state of Iowa. As the low pressure system moves through Wisconsin tonight, expect continued northwesterly winds at 20-30 mph with higher gusts. With frigid temperatures and these high winds, the concern over the entire state will be wind chill values in the -10 to -30 degree range. These values have prompted nearly the entire state to be put under a Wind Chill Advisory. Some bands of snow are possible over areas of northwest Iowa, where less than an inch is expected. However, with the strong winds a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for some areas in northwest Iowa due to the strong blowing snow. In the southeast, a heavier band of snow is likely to take place tonight and allow anywhere from 1-2 inches of snow and sleet to fall. This combined with the strong winds will also allow for blowing and drifting snow, leading to the issuance of Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings.

So for tonight, expect continued strong winds and bitterly temperatures, along with some snow in the northwest and southeast. Hazardous travel conditions are likely throughout the state, and bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills are definite.

Expect the temperatures to slowly rise tomorrow, and the winds to slowly decrease as well to allow the wind chill values to make it above -10 and thus void any wind chill advisories. We'll only see a one day break from the snow though, as Tuesday looks to have another storm system dropping upwards of 6" of snow somewhere in Iowa!