Snow and blowing snow could make travel difficult

Snow will persist throughout Eastern Iowa into Tuesday evening, with a total of four to eight inches predicted. And then the winds will get going.

Around five inches of snow is expected to fall in Cedar Rapids on Monday, followed by more accumulation on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. A winter weather advisory is in effect across Eastern Iowa tonight through late Tuesday, with a winter storm warning in the central part of the state.

Interstate 380 from Center Point to Cedar Rapids is completely covered in snow early Monday morning, according to the Iowa State Patrol. Most of the other major roads in the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas were listed as wet.

Winds will gust to near 30 miles per hour Tuesday and Tuesday night creating areas of blowing and drifting, which may also hamper travel. KCRG-TV9 meteorologist Kaj O'Mara said the winds after the “long-duration snow event” will cause significant blowing and drifting.

“This will also cause visibilities to drop near zero in the rural areas,” O'Mara said.

In Cedar Rapids, snow plows were having issues with plowing and treating some of the snow routes because of parked cars, said Craig Hanson, the Cedar Rapids public works maintenance manager A snow emergency is in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Parked vehicles must be removed from marked snow routes, and residents in other areas of the city are asked to park on the even-numbered side of the street Monday to allow plows to operate.