Des Moines, IA – Thick gray clouds are already building over central Iowa this morning as another winter system prepares to move in. The calm air carries a chill that hints at what’s coming — snow, wind, and slick roads through the evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, a Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect from 3 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday for much of central and south-central Iowa. Snow will begin mid-afternoon and continue steadily into the night, with accumulations between 2 and 5 inches expected by early Sunday.
Travel will likely become hazardous on Interstate 35, I-80, and Highway 65, especially as snow begins to stick during the evening commute. Visibility may drop quickly once heavier bands set in. Winds could gust near 20 mph, blowing snow across open roads and creating isolated drifts by midnight.
Temperatures will dip into the mid-teens by early Sunday, setting up a potential flash freeze on untreated surfaces. Meteorologists urge drivers to slow down, leave extra space, and plan for slick intersections and bridge decks.
Sunday will stay cold but calm, with highs near 18°F under partly sunny skies. By Monday, temperatures climb into the low 30s with sunshine before clouds return Tuesday, bringing a chance of rain and snow mix into midweek.
5-Day Outlook:
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 18°F, low 3°F.
- Monday: Partly sunny, high 31°F, low 21°F.
- Tuesday: Cloudy, rain/snow mix late, high 41°F.
- Wednesday: Breezy, highs in the 30s.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, highs near 25°F.
