Blizzard Warning Issued for Southern Iowa: Dangerous Travel and High Winds Expected Sunday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of south central, southeast, and southwest Iowa. This alert signifies that a significant winter storm will impact the region, creating hazardous conditions due to high winds and falling snow.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following counties in Iowa:

• Adams
• Union
• Clarke
• Lucas
• Monroe
• Wapello
• Taylor
• Ringgold
• Decatur
• Wayne
• Appanoose
• Davis

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit with you. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle to remain safe. For the latest updates on travel conditions, residents are encouraged to check the Iowa 511 app, visit www.511ia.org, or dial 511.

Expected Conditions

Blizzard conditions are expected to develop as precipitation transitions from rain on Sunday morning to a wintry mix and eventually to snow. While total snow accumulations in these specific areas are forecast between 1 and 3 inches, wind gusts as high as 55 to 65 mph will result in widespread blowing snow and significantly reduced visibility. The wintry mix may also produce a light glaze of ice. These strong winds could cause tree damage and lead to power outages.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective from 1:00 PM CDT on Sunday, March 15, until 7:00 AM CDT on Monday, March 16. The hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact the Monday morning commute.