Des Moines, Iowa – Drivers across south central Iowa could face rapidly deteriorating travel by Sunday morning as a powerful winter system pushes into the state with snow, wind gusts near 60 mph, and periods of blowing snow capable of cutting visibility to near zero.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from Sunday morning through Monday morning for Cass, Adair, Madison, Warren, Marion, and Mahaska counties. The system may begin with a brief period of freezing rain early Sunday before switching to snow. Total snowfall could reach 2 to 4 inches, but the biggest hazard will likely come from intense wind gusts that may reach 60 mph.
Those winds could whip loose snow across open highways, sharply reducing visibility along key routes such as Interstate 35 near Indianola and rural stretches of Highway 92 between Winterset and Knoxville. Communities including Atlantic, Greenfield, Pella, Oskaloosa, and Norwalk may see blowing snow create sudden whiteout conditions, especially Sunday afternoon and evening.
Gusty winds could also snap small tree limbs and cause scattered power issues. Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, charge devices, and limit non-essential travel as conditions worsen.
Blowing snow may linger into early Monday morning, potentially complicating the start of the workweek commute. Additional advisories or upgrades to warnings remain possible as the storm approaches.
