Severe & Winter Storm: Mar. 7-8 Update #1

While the southern two-thirds of the state continues to see rain and thunderstorms this morning, precipitation is also beginning to move into parts of northwest and northern Iowa where they are expecting winter-type precipitation through this afternoon. While roadways are wet throughout much of the state, there are now reports across northwest Iowa indicating that roadways are beginning to become covered in snow/sleet and are freezing over.

Precipitation is expected to continue across the entire state through the early afternoon hours, with mainly rain expected south of a Onawa to Fort Dodge to Mason City to LaCrosse, WI line. North of that line, a mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow is expected. The heaviest snow amounts are expected across northwest Iowa, where 1-3 inches of accumulation may be seen with a mixture of sleet. Other parts of northern and western Iowa are likely to see a combination of precip-types, and a total of 1-2 inches of accumulation by the end of the afternoon.

Expect the low pressure system to move into Illinois by this afternoon, which will begin to pull the precip out of the state. Currently it looks like by mid-afternoon all but the northeast quarter of the state will become dry; northeast Iowa should see an end to the precip by the end of the evening.