Storm could bring first significant snowfall to Eastern Iowa on Wednesday

The National Weather Service is advising that Iowans in the southeastern half of the state should start preparing now for a winter storm that’s predicted to hit the region early Wednesday morning.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for most of Eastern Iowa, as well as all of southern Iowa and a central section of the state. It includes the cities of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Dubuque, Waterloo, Davenport, Burlington, Des Moines, Ames, Ottumwa, Creston and Council Bluffs.

The warning will be in effect from 6 a.m. Wednesday to 3 a.m. Thursday.

A map of the state shows the counties included in the Winter Storm Warning are expected to see snowfall totals ranging from as little as 4 inches of snow to as many as 7 inches.

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The storm will begin in southwestern Iowa between 12 and 3 a.m. Wednesday, moving into Central and Eastern Iowa between 3 and 6 a.m., and getting to northeast Iowa between 6 and 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The National Weather Service warns that the air in northern Iowa will be drier, resulting in lower snow totals. The snowfall across the state is expected to create slick travel conditions.

This storm will bring the first significant snowfall for many parts of the state, which has been experiencing one of the least snowy winters on record.

Following the snowstorm, temperatures are expected fall across the state on Thursday, with wind chills as low as minus 25 degrees in northern Iowa.

Winter preparations in the Corridor

Mike Duffy, assistant public works director for the City of Cedar Rapids, said Tuesday they’re prepared for the snowstorm.

“Staff applied salt brine to roadways today to prohibit the bonding of snow to pavements, making it easier to remove accumulating snow during the event,” Duffy said in an email to The Gazette Tuesday morning. “Cedar Rapids will have staff available 24 hours a day during the event to plow.”

When snow will be falling the heaviest, Duffy said the city’s staff will be focusing on clearing and tending to “higher volume roadways.”

Duffy said the city’s public works staff spent much of Tuesday morning refreshing stockpiles of materials and preparing equipment for “what looks to be significant use over the next few days.”

Dave Gillham, the assistant superintendent of streets and traffic engineering for the City of Iowa City’s Public Works Department, said they haven’t been able to brine city streets with the salt water solution because their two brining trucks are undergoing maintenance.

He said it’s not clear when the trucks will be back up and running, but they will be on the streets spraying the solution to prevent ice and snow sticking to the pavement as soon as possible.

Typically, the trucks would be out brining the streets a day or two before a storm, Gillham said.

If the two trucks are not able to brine the streets before the snow starts early Wednesday morning, Gillham said the second part of their crew will be out clearing streets and cul-de-sacs. But in the meantime, Gillham said there still is some salt on Iowa City streets from the last time their trucks went through.

“Either way, we will be ready by the end of the day,” Gillham said.

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How you can prepare ahead of the storm

Duffy said Cedar Rapids will communicate updates about road conditions or emergency snow alerts as they come in. He said weather alerts and driving information will be available on the city’s website, cedar-rapids.org.

“We ask residents to be aware of quickly changing road conditions, to plan for winter road conditions is to be prepared for winter driving,” he said.

Iowans also can use the 511 website or call 511, which provides real-time updates on traffic, road conditions and weather events that could impact travel. If drivers need help while they’re on the roads, they can request aid from Iowa’s Highway Helper by calling 911.

But Gillham said it’s best for drivers to avoid travel if they can.

“Not going out is probably the best thing … it’s safest that way,” he said. “If you are going to stay home — which would be nice for us, it helps us out — not park on the street.”

He said that avoiding street parking will help the city clear snow better and will reduce the risk of a car being hit by another vehicle while the streets are slippery.

Gillham said if you have to travel, there are basic precautions you should take. This includes bringing a shovel in the car with you, making sure to dress in warm clothing, and telling someone if you do intend on traveling.

The National Weather Service also recommends keeping a flashlight and some extra food and water in your car in case of emergency.

“Not going out if you don’t have to is the safest thing for today and tomorrow,” Gillham said.

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