Full Notification

...Significant Travel Impacts Thursday into Thursday Night... .A powerful cold front moves through the area Thursday morning and afternoon bringing strong northwest winds, falling temperatures, wintry precipitation. Significant impacts to travel conditions are likely through the rest of day into Thursday night due to a variety of contributing factors. Scattered precipitation will initially start as rain or drizzle tonight into Thursday morning before the front quickly crosses the area from west to east. Any wet or slushy roads may flash freeze and quickly become icy as temperatures fall. Strong northwest winds gusting above 45 mph will create widespread blowing snow and potential blizzard conditions at times, especially in rural areas of north central into central Iowa. Snowfall totals are not expected to be heavy, but even light amounts may be enough to worsen impacts. Wind chills fall below zero by Thursday evening into Thursday night, which could serve as another hazard should motorists become stranded. Those with travel plans are highly encouraged to closely monitor for changing weather conditions and consider alternate plans if at all possible. Late afternoon and evening commuters should note that conditions may be dramatically worse compared to the morning hours.

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...North central into portions of central Iowa.

* WHEN...From 9 AM Thursday to 6 AM CST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.

* AFFECTED AREAS: JASPER ... TAMA ... MARSHALL ... BUTLER ... GRUNDY ... POWESHIEK ... BREMER ... BLACK HAWK ... HARDIN ... STORY ... FRANKLIN

Instructions:

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.