Gusty winds will cause travel concerns today

AMES, Iowa – Feb. 9, 2010 – 7 a.m. update – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that gusty north/northwest will be developing today and increase in all parts of the state. These winds, with gusts from 30 to 35 mph, will bring a continued threat for blowing and drifting across the state. Visibility will be reduced significantly. Road conditions, especially in open areas, are expected to deteriorate as the winds pick up.

 

The winds are expected to taper off some in the west tonight, but remain gusty in the east into Wednesday.

 

The snow is expected to change to snow showers and flurries across most of the

state by late this afternoon, but light snow may linger in the eastern most counties into the evening.

 

National Weather Service alerts

• A winter storm warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. this evening for north central and most of eastern Iowa. Brisk northwest winds throughout the day will cause significant blowing and drifting of snow.
• A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. this evening for areas generally west of Interstate 35. Visibility will diminish significantly as winds increase due to widespread blowing snow, especially in rural and open areas.

 

How to prepare

If you must travel today, be prepared for the possibility that you could become stranded should your vehicle go into the ditch or conditions limit visibility. Do not leave home without basic survival supplies. To see what supplies should be packed in your survival kit, watch this short video on the Iowa DOT’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/iowadot.

 

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