Winter Storm: Feb. 26

Another winter storm with all forms of precipitation is expected to impact the state of Iowa beginning early tomorrow, and continuing into Thursday night. Areas of the state will see just rain, others rain and snow, and some freezing rain, sleet, and snow! Travel conditions are likely to be hazardous throughout the day no Thursday across roughly the northern half of the state with ice, sleet, and snow all likely.

Precipitation will begin across the state around sunrise tomorrow for much of western Iowa, and will quickly continue to cover the entire state by Thursday afternoon. Western Iowa will begin to see an end to the precip by evening, with eastern Iowa seeing and end towards midnight. The highest precip totals are likely to remain over the southern half of Minnesota, and southeast Iowa. These two areas are likely to see only one precip type, snow over Minnesota, and rain over southeast Iowa. Between I-90 and I-80 is another story, with the potential for significant icing making headlines towards the Highway 20 corridor. Weather models continue to be in fairly good agreement between the type of precipitation likely over areas of the state, however, there will have to given some leeway until the precipitation begins and the temperatures at the surface and lower levels dictate what type of precip actually does fall.

An update to the forecast will be posted later tonight, however, at this time some areas are likely to see 2-5 inches of snow across northwest and extreme northern Iowa. Other areas along the Highway 20 corridor will not only see 1-3 inches of snow, but potentially a tenth to quarter of an inch of ice accumulation. Between Highways 20 and 30, a tenth of an inch of ice is possible with a mix of rain/snow as well. Those south of Highway 30 are likely to see mainly rain, although some snow may mix in towards evening hours. A complete update and summary of precipitation types and totals are likely tonight.