Iowa DOT issues travel condition update

AMES, Iowa – Feb. 9, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that gusty northwest winds are continuing to hamper travel, causing blowing and drifting snow. Light snow also continues across much of the eastern half of the state, but has diminished to occasional snow showers and flurries in the west. Roadways statewide remain covered with a coating of ice or a mix of ice and snow.

The Iowa DOT’s road weather information system is currently reporting wind gusts in excess of 30 mph in Ames, Avoca, Creston, Jefferson, Sidney, and Storm Lake. Drifting, and occasional periods of limited visibility, can be expected in these areas of the state, especially in open areas.

National Weather Service alerts

• A winter storm warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. this evening for parts of east central, northeast and north central Iowa. The winds will increase in the affected regions through the afternoon, and cause significant blowing and drifting snow.
• A winter weather advisory remains in effect until midnight tonight for the balance of eastern Iowa not covered by the warning.
• A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. tonight for portions of central, western and south central Iowa.

The winds are expected to slowly diminish from west to east through the overnight into Wednesday morning. Dry conditions are expected across the state Wednesday. This brief break in the weather will allow road crews to work on improving roadway conditions.

For the latest Iowa road conditions, visit www.511ia.org or call 511.

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