Widespread moderate, and locally heavy snow, with blizzard conditions and extreme cold

….WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY FOR CERRO GORDO, WORTH, WINNEBAGO, HANCOCK, WRIGHT, KOSSUTH, FRANKLIN AND BUTLER COUNTIES… 

Snow will begin midday into the afternoon today and  continue intermittently through early Thursday. Winds will also increase Thursday and continue into Friday night when blizzard  conditions are possible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph or greater may occur late Thursday through Friday. Extreme cold and wind chills of 20 to 40 below will be common.

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM SATURDAY FOR FLOYD MITCHELL AND MOWER MN…

Heavy snow is expected. Blizzard and whiteout conditions  expected, especially in open areas. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST THURSDAY… BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON THURSDAY TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY….WIND CHILL WATCH FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FOR FREEBORN AND FARIBAULT COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA…

For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow is expected.  Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions are expected. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. For the Wind Chill Watch, dangerously cold wind chills possible. Wind chills as low as 40 below zero.

THOSE WITH HOLIDAY TRAVEL PLANNED FROM LATE WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO FORECAST UPDATES AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND PREPARE ACCORDINGLY IF TRAVEL IS A MUST. ALTERING TRAVEL PLANS, IF POSSIBLE, IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.

A large winter storm is set to affect Iowa today into Friday evening. The combination of snow and strong winds will make travel difficult across much of central Iowa by early Thursday morning with the poor conditions persisting into Friday, especially in rural areas. Be prepared for a prolonged period of dangerous travel with widespread blowing and drifting snow as winds from 40 to 50 mph are expected producing near whiteout/blizzard conditions Thursday into Friday.

Widespread moderate, and locally heavy snow, is anticipated with this significant winter storm, starting north and west midday today, and then encompassing much of the state Wednesday night into Thursday before ending east Thursday. As winds increase on Thursday, 40 to 50 mph gusts will create significant blowing and drifting with blizzard conditions possible, especially in open areas. Travel will be very difficult at times.

A prolonged period of significant wind gusts and bitter cold wind chills will overtake Iowa Thursday morning through the end of the week. Wind chills will fall to 20 to 40 below zero or colder at times. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph can be expected before tapering off gradually on Saturday. The winds will create blowing snow and possible blizzard conditions, which coupled with dangerously cold wind chills, will make for dangerous and potentially life threatening conditions if you become stranded in your vehicle.