Des Moines, IA – Roads across central and northeastern Iowa could turn snow-covered in less than an hour after 6 p.m. Thursday as a narrow band of heavy snow drops up to 8 inches before daybreak Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 6 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday for a corridor stretching from Franklin and Hamilton counties through Story, Marshall and Black Hawk counties, including Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Snow totals will range from 5 to 8 inches, with snowfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour at times this evening.
Precipitation may begin as a rain-snow mix in parts of southern and western Iowa before changing to all snow. Once the transition occurs, rapid accumulation is expected on Interstate 35, Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 20, creating slick and snow-packed conditions during the evening commute.
Forecasters warn of a sharp snowfall gradient, meaning totals could change dramatically over short distances if the snow band shifts. Even a small shift could increase or reduce totals in cities like Marshalltown, Ames or Waterloo.
Drivers should delay non-essential travel, carry winter emergency supplies and check the Iowa 511 app or 511ia.org for live road updates. Snow tapers toward sunrise Friday, but icy spots may linger into the morning commute.
