ALERT DAY for both Friday and Saturday. Heavy snow, wind, and much colder air

Snow will be moving into northern Iowa between Midnight-3am Friday morning, and into southern Minnesota between 3am-6am Friday morning. That will simply be the onset of the winter storm that will last through Friday, Friday night, and potentially through at least Saturday morning. Snowfall totals will end up in the 6-10″ range with some isolated, higher totals by the end of the day Saturday.

This will be a big storm system for the region and will have a significant impact on travel both Friday and Saturday. The peak, or worst of the storm system will be from late Friday afternoon through evening with the combination of heavy snow and strong wind. A BLIZZARD WARNING for north-central Iowa goes into effect at 10am Friday morning and will last until Saturday morning.

Snow will start to taper off late in the day Saturday, and much colder, arctic air will move in behind this storm system. You’ll already start to feel that colder air Saturday as highs will likely not escape the single digits. Temperatures will drop below zero from Saturday night and stay there through Tuesday morning. It’s a one-two punch of winter weather, and by far the most significant dose of winter we’ve seen this season. Stay safe out there, plan ahead, bundle up, and give yourself plenty of time if you have to travel.