Slow Moving...Still Snowing

We said this was going to be a slow storm...and it is...on every level.

You see the road conditions in the state are pretty rotten in northern Iowa. Travel is not advised on I-35 north of Highway 20 to the Minnesota state line.

The totals are coming in with heavy amounts to the north. In the metro we have seen around 3 inches of snow...and will add another inch or two by the evening. In northern Iowa the totals are over 9 inches in Mason City...and a bunch of 6 to 7 inch totals around the Waterloo area.

This storm took forever to really get enough moisture to make the snow fall to the ground. It is going to last through the evening and finally move out of the state around midnight.

Christmas morning will be dry... but there will be some wind that could cause some blowing and drifting of snow.

Take extra time to travel...be safe and Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Ed

Midnight...Dry Air Holding Off The Snow In The Metro

****WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH FRIDAY****


**Overnight update: Snow will continue to develop in bands across the state overnight. We will see the snow start to move into the central sections of the state by 1 AM.

The metro is still looking at 3" to 5" of snow...around 4" is expected in Des Moines.
Up to 6" totals will fall in isolated areas.

You can see the roads are getting slick around the state...leaving Des Moines Dry at Midnight...but the air will become saturated later this morning. Green shows normal roads...blue is wet roadway...pink is completely covered roads... orange shows mostly covered...yellow is partially covered.

Very little wind will come with this storm...roads will be slick, but the roads should remain passable. Road crews should have a good handle on this storm.

Dry weather is still in the forecast Christmas and Sunday.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

10 PM Snow Update...

Snow is starting to reduce visibilities from Ames to Marshalltown to Grinnell. There is a thin line of heavy snow falling in that area...but there is also dry air stopping the storm from developing over the Metro.

We are still expecting snow after midnight. Around 2 am we will see the snow move into the metro and start to stick.

4" of new snow is still expected...but with the pockets of dry air...it has me wondering if this storm has the ability to drop up to 6 inches of snow.

A winter weather advisory is still in effect...travel will be slow overnight...but not impossible. Take extra time and use your patience if you have to drive. Air travel will not be held up in Des Moines.

Just finishing up the 9 news...ready to get the new totals and storm timing in line for the 10 PM on Channel 13... stay tuned.

Storm Still Slow...Snow Friday.

www.511ia.org/roadConditions.asp?area=IA_statewide

You can see that the roads are starting to get slippery in northern Iowa. In central Iowa we are still under normal driving conditions. Great for last-minute shoppers.

The Winter Weather Advisory is still in effect through 6 pm Friday.

The storm is slowing down...and we have seen some dry air moving into the storm. That may give us a break on higher snow totals.

I still think we will have the 3 to 6 inches of snow over the state...in the Metro I am leaning toward 4 to 5 inches.

The snow will continue most of Friday.

We will have more updates on the 10:00 news and our own Megan Brown will be live showing the road conditions in the metro area of Des Moines.

5 PM Update on the storm

Here are the road conditions as of 5 PM Thursday. Green shows normal driving conditions and blue indicates wet roads. We have seen very decent travel for the whole state...even as we wait for the looming winter storm.

Here is the latest on the winter weather advisory...I'll be updating snow totals in just a few minutes on the Channel 13 News at 5.

Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from midnight tonight to 6 PM Friday... snow will spread in from western Iowa tonight...beginning to accumulate in the advisory area around midnight and continuing through the day on Friday. Most of the accumulating snow will fall between midnight and noon on Friday. Snowfall amounts will range from 3 to 7 inches across the advisory area...with the higher amounts coming further northeast toward the Interstate 80 corridor from the Des Moines Metro eastward. Roads will become slick and snow covered. During periods of relatively heavier snowfall visibility may be reduced to below a mile... adding to travel difficulties. A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibility...and use caution while driving.

Winter Weather Advisory...Snow Tonight-Friday

A winter weather advisory will be in effect for the entire state of Iowa tonight through Friday. Our advisory in Des Moines will start at Midnight and run through 6 PM Christmas Eve.

Widespread 3" to 5" of snow will be common over the state through the next 30 hours.

The maps show you the counties that are included in the advisory and road conditions. You can find the road conditions right here: www.511ia.org/roadConditions.asp?area=IA_statewide

These conditions are often updated every 5 to 10 minutes. It will automatically update on your computer if you leave it up on one of your windows.

The snow will pile up overnight... 2 to 4 inches by morning, then more snow will fall through the day.

I do not anticipate a winter storm warning...the wind is not going to be strong enough and the snow will fall at a slow pace that will allow road crews to work in shifts to move the snow.

It will be slick..and travel will be much slower than normal. If you are able to travel today...even through late evening...it would be better than dealing with the heavier snow tomorrow.

Stay up-to-date with Iowa's Weather Plus... 13.2 and on www.whotv.com and here with the blog.

Have a safe and merry Christmas.

6:40 PM Update on Thursday-Friday Storm

****Wednesday evening update for storm Thursday night through Friday****

A winter storm is still on track for central Iowa Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. Heavier amounts of snow are expected late Thursday night through Friday morning.

3" to 5" of new snow will be common over central Iowa...but there will be pockets of 6" to 8".

Expect periods of heavier snow over Des Moines between 1 AM and 6 AM Friday.

This system is slowing down, which means more time for snow to accumulate. There will be very little wind with the storm. No advisories, watches or warnings have been issued for central Iowa. That could change tomorrow.

If you don't have to drive late Thursday through Friday....stay put.

Air travel is not expected to be greatly impacted. There may be delays Thursday night through early Friday....but this will be a slow moving storm that will give road and run-way crews time to move snow.