Full Notification

* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow is expected. Snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches by late Friday afternoon. For the Blizzard Warning, life threatening conditions expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Visibilities below one quarter of a mile will be common with whiteout conditions. For the Wind Chill Watch, dangerously cold wind chills possible. Wind chills of 30 to 45 below zero.

* WHERE...Portions of Western and Central Iowa.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 PM this evening to 10 AM CST Friday. For the Blizzard Warning, from 10 AM Friday to 6 AM CST Saturday. For the Wind Chill Watch, from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel will become very difficult by Friday morning and may be impossible in some rural areas Friday afternoon and Friday night. Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility with whiteout conditions. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. These temperatures and wind chills can be life threatening for stranded motorists.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Storms of this magnitude are fairly rare with recurrence around once or twice per decade. Travel is not recommended except if absolutely necessary, especially by Friday afternoon and Friday night.

* AFFECTED AREAS: EMMET ... PALO ALTO ... POCAHONTAS ... SAC ... CALHOUN ... CRAWFORD ... CARROLL ... GREENE ... AUDUBON ... GUTHRIE ... DALLAS ... CASS ... ADAIR ... MADISON ... ADAMS ... UNION ... CLARKE ... LUCAS ... TAYLOR ... RINGGOLD ... DECATUR ... WAYNE

Instructions:

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. 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. Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. For the latest travel conditions, check the Iowa 511 app, www.511ia.org, or dial 511.