Winter storm warning – More snow, ice, cold coming this week

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Another winter storm is expected to dump more snow on the Charles City area through late Tuesday, and we could also see some freezing drizzle or freezing rain.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Floyd and other area counties until midnight Tuesday.

“The bulk of the snow will fall from mid-Tuesday morning into the later evening hours,” the NWS said. Periods of freezing precipitation are possible mostly south of Interstate 90 in Minnesota overnight into Tuesday morning, with an additional threat into the evening for parts of far northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin.

The forecast shows 5 to 7 inches of new snow falling in Floyd, Mitchell, Howard and Chickasaw counties. A light glaze of ice is also possible.

“The threat for freezing drizzle will continue Tuesday across portions of
northeast Iowa into far southwest Wisconsin. How much snow falls is still uncertain, though, and some changes in the forecast are possible,” NWS said Monday.

“Travel impacts are certain though, especially by the time of the Tuesday evening commute,” NWS said. Roads will become snow-covered through the day, and slippery roads and reduced visibility will create dangerous travel conditions.

“Keep a close eye on the forecast and plan now for travel impacts,” NWS said.

Dangerously cold wind chills from 20 below zero to 40 below zero are expected at times Thursday through Friday night, with the lowest wind chills Thursday night into Friday morning.

A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible. The latest road conditions for Iowa can be found online at 511ia.org, or by calling 5-1-1.