Des Moines, IA – Much of northern, central, and eastern Iowa will plunge into dangerous cold Saturday night as a Cold Weather Advisory goes into effect from 6 p.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Des Moines.
Forecasters expect wind chills to fall to around 33 below zero, with some locations briefly approaching 35 below. The advisory includes dozens of counties stretching from Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Palo Alto, Hancock, and Cerro Gordo in the north, down through Polk, Dallas, Story, Marshall, Jasper, Poweshiek, and into the southern tier counties of Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Wayne, Appanoose, and Davis.
Major communities affected include Des Moines, Ames, Iowa Falls, Mason City, Waterloo, Marshalltown, Fort Dodge, Carroll, Newton, Grinnell, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Pella, Indianola, and many smaller towns across the region.
NWS meteorologists warn that wind chills in this range can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes, especially during the coldest period: late Saturday night through early Sunday morning. The combination of frigid temperatures and steady winds will make outdoor activity extremely hazardous.
Residents are urged to wear multiple layers, cover exposed skin, keep pets indoors, and limit outdoor activity. Emergency officials recommend checking on vulnerable neighbors and ensuring heaters are used safely.
