116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Snow blankets Iowa, with 4 to 8 more inches yet to come for parts of Eastern Iowa
Snow emergency is in effect for Cedar Rapids through 7 a.m. Thursday
Feb. 12, 2025 2:08 pm, Updated: Feb. 12, 2025 6:04 pm
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Many Iowans awoke Wednesday to a blanket of snow, and the snowstorm has shown no signs of stopping in Eastern Iowa.
The National Weather Service reported Iowans should brace for an additional 4 to 8 inches of snow along Interstate 80. A lull in the storm was expected in the early afternoon, with snow expected to pick up after 3 p.m.
In a 1 p.m. update, the National Weather Service predicted the Cedar Rapids, Maquoketa and Dubuque areas would receive an additional 4 to 6 inches of snow. Iowa City and the Quad Cities were projected to get about 3 more inches of snow.
The NWS expects Eastern Iowa will see an additional 0.5 to 1 inch of snow per hour through the afternoon. The snow will start to taper during the evening.
This comes after the region already received significant snowfall Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. As of 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, parts of The Corridor had received between 3 and 8.5 inches of snow.
This winter storm is the first significant snowfall for much of the state this season, which has been one of the least snowy winters on record.
The winter storm warning in parts of the state will remain in effect until early Thursday morning.
In Cedar Rapids, the city said a snow emergency will be in effect through 7 a.m. Thursday. Just before 11 a.m. Wednesday, Cedar Rapids reported on social media that the city had “more than 100 pieces of equipment deployed to clear the snow.”
Cedar Rapids residents can stay up to date with winter weather updates on the city website, CityofCR.com/snow.
Driving conditions
As the snow continues to fall, drivers should expect slick roads and reduced visibility. At times, visibility is limited to 1/4 mile, the NWS said.
Some major roadways — including parts of I-380 South, U.S. 218 and I-80 — are “completely covered in snow,” the Iowa’s Department of Transportation 511 website reported Wednesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, tow bans were in effect, or towing was not recommended it the following Eastern Iowa counties: Linn, Johnson, Iowa, Washington, Cedar, Jones, Benton, Scott, Muscatine and Keokuk.
The Iowa State Patrol reported that as of noon on Wednesday, it had received 233 calls for service since the snow started.
According to a post on X, the agency said it had responded to 54 crashes and had assisted nearly 180 drivers on the road. It reported eight injuries, but no fatalities.
ISP Calls for Service: Feb. 12, 2025 (12 AM - 12:00 PM)
— Iowa State Patrol (@iowastatepatrol) February 12, 2025
233 Calls For Service
54 - Crashes Covered:
46 - Property Damage
8 - Personal Injury
0 - Fatal
179 - Motorist Assist pic.twitter.com/t73cJH8EjB
As snow continues to fall, officials are urging Iowans to stay off the roads.
If travel is unavoidable, drivers should take basic precautions when going out, including taking a shovel and flashlight with them in the car, packing some food and water in case they get stuck and dressing warmly.
Drivers also should plan to tell someone where they are traveling if they intend to go out.
Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.
Comments: olivia.cohen@thegazette.com
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