Iowa weather: Looking ahead at frigid temperatures and another chance at heavy snow
After a snowy start to the week, when some spots across the state saw up to a foot, cooler temperatures have settled in.
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There's some snow in the air Wednesday night, but accumulations will most likely be a dusting around central Iowa. Better chance for accumulations around a half-inch to and inch will be north of Interstate 80.
And then there's a chance for another round of heavy snow, which could create blizzard conditions Thursday into Friday.
The National Weather Service has a winter storm warning in effect from noon Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday for a dozen western Iowa counties that could see accumulations of 5 to 10 inches of snow with winds gusting up to 45 mph.
A winter storm watch is in effect for the same period for much of the rest of the state, according to the weather service.
This round of snow will be different than what came Monday and Tuesday because it will be much colder. We could be looking at blizzard conditions with a more light and fluffy snow rather than the wet heavy snow.
Travel will be discouraged across the state with the worst impact being along Interstate 80 and to the south.
CLOSINGS: See closings and delays for metro schools and businesses
After the heavy snow, the temperatures will drop substantially. Lows will dip below zero for the first time this year as arctic air is pushing over the Midwest. It will be dangerously cold on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday with feel-like temperatures around and below -20.
There will not be any snow chances with the colder temps, however winter is here to stay with the substantial snow that we will have on the ground.
Iowa weather forecast
Tonight: Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Scattered light snow showers are possible. Low 11F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow: A few snow showers in the morning, then partly to cloudy. Morning high of 20F with falling temperatures through the day. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph.
Tomorrow night: Mostly cloudy with snow chance. Low 12F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
Friday: Snow Showers expected. High 17F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph.
Friday night: Chance of snow and wind. Low near 3F. Winds NNW at 20 to 25 mph.