Prolonged snowfall will affect roads through Tuesday

Iowa Department of Transportation

AMES, Iowa – Jan. 10, 2011; 11:30 a.m. update – A trough of low pressure will move slowly eastward across the state today and tonight, producing a prolonged snowfall event. Although the snowfall rates will be light to moderate, the duration of this event will result in substantial accumulations before the snow tapers off Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory that remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday for all but the northeast corner of the state.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is asking travelers to closely monitor road and weather conditions The Iowa State Patrol is currently reporting that all roadways in the western half of the state, as well as the northeast corner, are partially or completely covered with snow. This includes Interstates 29, 35, 80, 235 and 680.

Snow-packed and slick road conditions are already causing travel difficulties. Therefore, the Iowa DOT advises putting additional space between your vehicle and the one ahead, and giving the slow-moving snowplows plenty of room to work.

Over the next 48 hours, additional snow accumulations could be a high as 6 to 10 inches across the entire state, with lesser amounts on the far eastern and western edges. Polk County, where the legislature has just convened, is forecast to receive up to 8 inches.

Northwest winds will begin to increase early Tuesday morning. Blowing and drifting snow are to be expected, as well as periods of reduced visibility.

Source: Iowa DOT