Winter Storm Watch

Locations Affected

Des Moines, IA ∙ Waterloo, IA ∙ West Des Moines, IA ∙ Ames, IA ∙ Dolliver, IA ∙ Bode, IA ∙ Lanyon, IA ∙ Clarion, IA ∙ Coulter, IA ∙ Ackley, IA

Headline

...POTENTIAL WINTER STORM PRODUCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...
.A potentially significant winter storm will impact parts of the Upper Midwest this weekend, mainly from late Saturday night through Sunday night, with lingering impacts from blowing snow lasting into Monday morning. A swath of heavy snowfall and strong winds may result in blizzard conditions and significant impacts, especially on Sunday. A brief period of freezing rain is possible Sunday morning prior to switching over to snow. There is still some uncertainty in how far south into Iowa the heaviest snowfall may occur, but the most likely areas to see the higher snowfall amounts are over northern Iowa, though blizzard conditions are possible with lesser snow as far south as the I-80 corridor.

Full Alert Message

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Des Moines IA 134 PM CDT Fri Mar 13 2026 ...POTENTIAL WINTER STORM PRODUCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT... .A potentially significant winter storm will impact parts of the Upper Midwest this weekend, mainly from late Saturday night through Sunday night, with lingering impacts from blowing snow lasting into Monday morning. A swath of heavy snowfall and strong winds may result in blizzard conditions and significant impacts, especially on Sunday. A brief period of freezing rain is possible Sunday morning prior to switching over to snow. There is still some uncertainty in how far south into Iowa the heaviest snowfall may occur, but the most likely areas to see the higher snowfall amounts are over northern Iowa, though blizzard conditions are possible with lesser snow as far south as the I-80 corridor. ...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation followed by blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches possible and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central into north central Iowa. * WHEN...From Sunday morning through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Prepare for possible blizzard conditions. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

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