AMES, Iowa – Dec. 20, 2012: 8:30 a.m. – Due to life-threatening blizzard conditions, the Iowa Department of Transportation’s “No Travel” advisory remains in effect throughout Thursday.
The Iowa DOT’s road and aviation weather system is currently reporting sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts over 50 mph in some locations. The very strong winds are likely to continue until midnight with whiteout conditions at times and significant drifting.
The National Weather Services is forecasting 6 to 14 inches of snow by this afternoon, with the higher totals expected along an axis from just east of Atlantic to Des Moines to Waterloo. Snow is currently falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
If you must travel, bring your mobile phone and winter survival supplies. If you become stranded,STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLEand call 911.
Throughout the storm, look toward Iowa’s 511 system for information about traffic incidents, road closures or lane restrictions, observations of winter road conditions from the Iowa State Patrol and National Weather Service warnings. Also available through 511 are views from several metro area cameras, traffic speeds in certain locations and a display of active electronic road sign messages.
Information from the Iowa DOT’s road and aviation weather systems, including critical winter-related conditions, such as precipitation type, wind speed/gusts and road temperatures, is available athttp://weatherview.iowadot.
Dial 511 for information.