The Marion County Sheriff’s Department tells KNIA KRLS News that roads in the county are up to 100% snow and ice covered and slick. The Iowa Department of Transportation reports that all of Iowa with the exception of the northwest corner are snow covered. State and county plows are in operation, as are city of Knoxville and Pella plows. As of 6:30 this morning, seven inches of snow has been measured at the KNIA/KRLS studios.
According to Knoxville City Manager Harold Stewart, the Knoxville Snow Ordinance and the Pella Snow Ordinance are in effect.
Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt tells KNIA/KRLS News that he urges travelers to please drive with caution, and to leave plenty of room between your car and the one in front of you. He adds that drifting snow may also cause travel hazards.
Take extra time to get to your destination this morning, and give our road crews and first responders sufficient room to work safely to clear our roadways.
The National Weather Service reports that as a low pressure system which brought snowfall to much of central Iowa slowly continues to lift northeast, snowfall will also begin to diminish from west to east across the area. Areas of light snow and flurries may linger through the day Sunday. In addition, winds will remain strong which will lead to blowing and drifting of the freshly fallen snow today. By tonight snow will only remain across northeastern Iowa. However, a large change is in store for the beginning of the work week as temperature fall sharply. Overnight low temperatures will be in the single digits above zero to near 10 degrees below zero tonight. Winds will remain strong which will lead to dangerous wind chill values of -10 to -30. Monday will bring an even colder day as high temperatures only reach the single digits above zero in the south and the single digits below zero in the north. Monday night will be much colder, with overnight low temperatures dropping to -10 to -15 degrees. Temperatures will moderate for mid-week.
The Severe Weather Warning is in effect until 6PM.
Tune to KNIA 1320AM, 95.3FM and KRLS 92.1FM for the most current and accurate local weather information as well as reports from local officials as needed during the storm.