Winds expected to create difficult travel conditions

A winter storm warning remains in place until midnight tonight for much of Eastern Iowa as today is expected to bring more snow wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour.

Most of the area is expected to receive up to 9 inches of snow by the time the slow moving storm system moves out Tuesday night. Northeast winds are forecast to cause significant blowing and drifting of snow with near blizzard conditions possible in rural and open areas.

Wind chill values will drop to around zero Tuesday night and early Wednesday, the National Weather Service says.

Road conditions |  Cancellations and delays |  KCRG-TV9 Weather Water Cooler blog

7 a.m. update – The Iowa Department of Transportation  is reporting that gusty north/northwest will be developing today and increase in all parts of the state. These winds, with gusts from 30 to 35 mph, will bring a continued threat for blowing and drifting across the state. Visibility will be reduced significantly. Road conditions, especially in open areas, are expected to deteriorate as the winds pick up.

The winds are expected to taper off some in the west tonight, but remain gusty in the east into Wednesday.

The snow is expected to change to snow showers and flurries across most of the state by late this afternoon, but light snow may linger in the eastern most counties into the evening.

National Weather Service alerts

• A winter storm warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. this evening for north central and most of eastern Iowa. Brisk northwest winds throughout the day will cause significant blowing and drifting of snow.
• A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. this evening for areas generally west of Interstate 35. Visibility will diminish significantly as winds increase due to widespread blowing snow, especially in rural and open areas.