ALERT: Snow Squall Warning Issued
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Des Moines has issued a Snow Squall Warning for several counties in central Iowa, including Polk, Story, Greene, Madison, Guthrie, Boone, Adair, Dallas, and Warren. The warning remains in effect until 8:30 AM CST, with rapidly deteriorating travel conditions expected.
At 7:22 AM CST, radar and webcam observations detected an intense snow squall along a line extending from Ogden to De Soto to 4 miles east of Lenox, moving east at 25 mph. This squall is producing intense bursts of heavy snow, reducing visibility to less than half a mile. While winds are generally below 15 mph, blowing snow is exacerbating visibility issues, creating potentially life-threatening travel conditions.
The warning impacts major roadways, including Interstate 35 between mile markers 45-72 and 87-126, Interstate 80 between mile markers 90-142, and Interstate 235 between mile markers 1-14. Cities within the affected area include Des Moines, Ames, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Indianola, Boone, Winterset, and Jefferson, among others.
Travelers are advised to slow down and exercise extreme caution as conditions can change suddenly, leading to whiteouts and slick roads. If possible, avoid or delay travel until the squall passes. For those who must travel, additional time and vigilance are essential to navigate the hazardous conditions safely.
