More snowfall now expected from incoming winter storm

As an incoming winter storm looms closer, meteorologists upgraded their watch to a warning overnight Sunday. Expected snowfall counts also crept higher for much of Eastern Iowa, climbing even higher throughout Monday.

The watch — which means there’s potential for a significant winter weather event — was issued early Sunday morning. The National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau upgraded it early Monday morning to a winter storm warning, which means a significant winter storm is imminent and is a danger to life and property.

Expected inches grew higher for most of Southeastern Iowa, which will likely see at least 8 inches of snow regionwide. Cedar Rapids is now expected to receive between 11 and 16 inches of snow. Iowa City could see up to 18 inches.

The storm’s anticipated timeline stayed the same: It should sweep in Monday evening around 6 p.m., when snow may fall at rates up to 1 inch an hour. By Tuesday morning, that snow may be falling at rates between 1 to 2 inches an hour, potentially into the afternoon.

Strong winds will develop by Tuesday afternoon, producing blowing and drifting snow until late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, when the storm is expected to leave the area. Isolated power outages may plague residents due to wet, heavy snow and high winds, which could break tree branches.

Much of Southeastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, may see major impacts from the storm. That could include dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures and disruptions to road infrastructure. Visibility could degrade to 0.5 miles Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning as 40 mph winds gust.

“Expect very hazardous travel conditions at times,” the NWS Quad Cities bureau said in a Monday afternoon post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Its guidance included avoiding travel if possible. You can check road conditions at the Iowa Department of Transportation’s 511 website.

The bureau also advised residents to prepare their home before the storm’s arrival: Buy supplies in advance, and have a plan in case you lose power or can’t leave your home. Prepare your vehicle by stocking it with a safety kit and cold weather gear.

The City of Cedar Rapids declared a snow emergency from midnight Monday until midnight Wednesday. Cars should not be parked on emergency snow routes, which can be found on the City’s website.

Starting Tuesday, residents must follow the odd/even parking rule in residential neighborhoods from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., which gives snowplow operators enough room to plow:

Brittney J. Miller is the Energy & Environment Reporter for The Gazette and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.

Comments: (319) 398-8370; brittney.miller@thegazette.com