AMES, Iowa – Jan. 29, 2013; 3 p.m. update – A severe weather event is forecast for this evening into Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning affecting a significant portion of the state. Between 4 to 6 inches of snow is predicted, with locally higher amounts possible.
The Iowa Department of Tranpsortation is advising travelers to take necessary preparations for this event, including making sure a winter survival kit or emergency supplies are stowed in their vehicles with sufficient resources for all passengers. A mobile phone should also be carried in your vehicle for emergency use only. Don’t talk, take photos/video or text while driving.
Potential travel hazards with this event include:
· Heavy snow.
· Increasing wind speeds through the evening/overnight hours, which may reduce visibilities at times.
· A transition period between when the rain starts to freeze and it turns to all snow, leading to accumulating ice, especially on ramps, bridges and overpasses that have colder surface temperatures.
· Downed power lines or poles on roadways due to accumulating ice.
· Warm initial roadway surface temperatures that will allow falling snow to melt and then refreeze or become packed on the roads in heavily traveled areas.
