Fast-moving snowstorm snarls traffic

CEDAR RAPIDS - Saturday's fast-moving snowstorm dropped at least 1 inch of snow and reduced visibility in Eastern Iowa, snarling traffic and leading to crashes and lane closures on highways.

At least it won't stick around for long.

A crash on northbound Interstate 380 by the Highway 30 exit caused the left lane to close and was slowing interstate traffic in both directions, the Iowa Department of Transportation said. The lane was reopened Saturday afternoon.

And a crash on eastbound Interstate 80 near the exit to Victor closed a lane and was slowing afternoon traffic, according to the Iowa DOT.

A crash on westbound I-80 near the Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville had caused lanes to close earlier Saturday, but they had reopened by afternoon, the Iowa DOT said.

The storm caused visibility to be less than a quarter mile, the National Weather Service said, and was expected to dump 1 or maybe 2 inches of snow by afternoon as the band quickly moved east.

Meanwhile, in Central Iowa, a crash on Interstate 35 near Huxley caused a pileup, according to the Ames Tribune. More than 70 cars were involved and 11 people were taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries, according to a media release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Southbound traffic was blocked for two hours Saturday, but was reopened by early afternoon.

That pileup occurred just a few weeks after a different snow storm snarled more than 50 cars on I-35 and led to several fatalities around the state.

For Sunday, the weather service predicts above-average highs in the 40s or even 50s.