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Strong winds, inches of snow and sub-zero temperatures hit Iowa Wednesday afternoon. All of central Iowa is under a Winter Storm Warning which started at 6 p.m. Wednesday and continues through 6 a.m. Saturday.
A Blizzard Warning will begin at noon Thursday and continue until 6 a.m. Saturday for northern and central Iowa. The combination of intense wind and blowing snow will create poor visibility.
The first round of snow came through Wednesday evening, with Story County seeing around 4 inches. The Local 5 Weather team forecasts that snow will continue to fall overnight, with several more inches possible. The metro can expect to see a total of 4-6" of snow.
The wind will continue to increase overnight, leading to dangerous road conditions and possible whiteouts as the snow continues to blow. Wind chills stay in the -30s and -40s all day.
Local 5 will keep you updated with forecasts, closures, snow emergencies and everything you need to know to stay safe.
Stay Weather Aware!
Blizzard Warning issued for parts of the metro
The Des Moines metro and areas along and north of I-80 have been upgraded to a Blizzard Warning beginning at noon Thursday.
Wind gusts of 40-50 mph will be possible, leading to periods of intense blowing snow and near-zero visibility.
How much snow is expected? What is today's forecast?
A Winter Storm Warning takes effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday for all of central Iowa, and it will remain in place through 6 a.m. Saturday.
A Blizzard Warning begins at noon Thursday and continues until 6 a.m. Saturday for the Des Moines area as well as much of northern and central Iowa.
Intense wind will lead to significant blowing snow and periods of near-zero visibility.
Accumulations will be light at first, but they will pick up more after sunset. Temperatures will go from the -0s and 0s this morning to the low 20s by Wednesday evening, but today's wind will be generally light.
For the full forecast, click here.
Are flights out of Des Moines International Airport delayed or canceled?
Representatives for the Des Moines International Airport told Local 5 they are equipped to keep runways operational.
However, decisions about flights are made by individual airlines. If you are worried about a flight being delayed, downloading the airline's app will keep you up to date on what to expect, and that will also let you rebook your flight, if necessary.
Many airlines flying out of DSM have issued travel fee waivers, including American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Delta Airlines.
Learn more here.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 airport updates (as of 7:01 p.m.)
- Delta 5129 (to Atlanta, ATL): Delayed from 12:11 p.m. to 5:35 p.m.
- Allegiant 4458 (to Orlando, SFB): 3:27 p.m. canceled
- Delta 4753 (to Minneapolis, MSP): Delayed 5:20 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Southwest 892 (to Denver, DEN): Delayed from 3 p.m. to 4:29 p.m.
- Southwest 1635 (to St Louis, STL): Delayed from 6:15 p.m. to 7:16 p.m.
- Delta 5042 (to Detroit, DTW): Delayed from 2:21 p.m. to 5:05 p.m.
- Allegiant 4467 (to Punta Gorda, PGD): Delayed from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- American 2071 (to Phoenix, PHX): Delayed from 6:15 p.m. to 7:20 p.m.
- American 1869 (to Dallas-Fort Worth, DFW): Delayed from 7:25 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- Allegiant 4471 (from Punta Gorda, PGD): 9:31 p.m. canceled
- Allegiant 4434 (from Orlando, SFB): 9:57 p.m. canceled
- Southwest 2990 (from Denver, DEN): 11:10 p.m. canceled
- Delta 4753 (from Minneapolis, MSP): Delayed from 5:39 p.m.
- Southwest 1635 (from Denver, DEN): Delayed from 5:40 p.m.
- American 1869 (from Dallas-Fort Worth, DFW): Delayed from 6:51 p.m.
What are the road conditions like?
If you were planning on driving out of central Iowa on Wednesday evening or Thursday, the Local 5 weather team strongly advises that you change your travel plans.
Blizzard conditions will lead to blowing snow and strong winds across central Iowa, making driving dangerous, if not impossible.
To learn more about current road conditions, click here.
Will we get a blizzard?
The Des Moines metro and areas along and north of I-80 have been upgraded to a Blizzard Warning beginning at noon Thursday.
Gusts of 25 to 40 mph are expected throughout Thursday, with gusts up to 45 mph possible on Friday. These conditions will likely lead to consistent blowing snow.
According to the official National Weather Service definition, a blizzard is a winter storm where the following conditions occur for a period of three hours or longer:
- Sustained wind or frequent gusts to 35 miles an hour or greater; and
- Considerable falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility to one-quarter mile or less
Learn more about blizzards, and what isn't a blizzard, here.
What cities are under snow ordinances or snow emergencies?
Currently, the following cities have instated snow ordinances and/or parking bans:
- Ames
- Ankeny
- Bondurant
- Carlisle
- Clive
- Des Moines
- Grimes
- Indianola
- Johnston
- Newton
- Osceola
- Perry
- Waukee
- West Des Moines
More information about snow ordinances across the metro is available here.
Are schools canceling classes or closing early?
Several schools will close on Thursday and dismiss early on Wednesday. For the full list, click here.
What else is closed in central Iowa?
The Blank Park Zoo will be closing at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
DMARC food pantries will close Thursday and Friday. Residents are encouraged to visit a food pantry ASAP. The Wednesday same-day delivery hotline has been extended until 4 p.m.
Local 5 will update this story with other major closings across central Iowa.
What events are canceled?
Iowa State canceled a men's basketball game Wednesday and women's basketball game Thursday because of the potential for severe weather.
The athletic department announced Tuesday that the men's game against Omaha and the women's game against Drake will not be rescheduled.
Hoyt Sherman Place has rescheduled a Thursday night Christmas concert with Michael W. Smith to Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
Des Moines Performing Arts announced Wednesday evening that both the 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical will be postponed to a new date. All previously purchased tickets will still be honored for the new date. The postponed dates have yet to be announced.