FORT DODGE, Iowa – A fast-developing winter system is on track to deliver the season’s first widespread snow to northwest and central Iowa Saturday afternoon and evening, bringing potentially hazardous travel conditions along major routes including U.S. 20 and Highway 71.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, a Winter Storm Watch has been issued from Saturday afternoon through Saturday night for counties including Kossuth, Humboldt, Webster, Carroll, Greene, and Boone. Forecast models show 4 to 7 inches of accumulation, with the heaviest bands expected between 4 p.m. and midnight.
Travel will likely deteriorate quickly as snowfall rates increase. The Iowa Department of Transportation urges drivers to plan ahead, as slick roads and low visibility could cause delays, especially on untreated secondary roads and rural routes. Winds are expected to gust up to 25 mph, producing brief blowing and drifting snow in open areas.
Residents are advised to finish errands early Saturday, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare vehicles with winter kits and full fuel tanks. Outdoor plans, including local holiday events, could be impacted as snow intensifies during the evening hours.
According to the NWS, confidence in the storm track remains moderate, but even small shifts could affect where the heaviest snow falls. Temperatures will remain near freezing through the event before dipping into the 20s overnight.
