***OFFICIAL 2026 WEATHER THREAD***

[MJ29]

No idea, would that compromise your insurance in the event you needed it?

Insurance covers a lot of stupidity. Driving on roads that are "closed" wouldn't even be close to the dumbest thing I've seen in a claim.

 

[madguy30]

Wausau, WI up to 30 inches of snow as of earlier this morning with it still coming down.

I'd have to imagine the WI river sees some flooding or at least high levels starting this weekendish.

 

[nfrine]

"But Officer, I’m an excellent driver."

FIFY

 

[Cyforce]

FIFY

It’s from Rainman

 

[Texbudman]

I agree actually... I don't mind if we become "soft" and prioritize safety over risking it just to get to work... I have no issue with that at all. I just think it is in fact a reality, right? Or in my old age am I just resorting to the old... "we used to always go to school and work back in my day... we never closed anything... even when we got 10 inches of snow and blizzard winds!".

Probably because when we were kids blizzards were a blast and as adults they suck. Thankfully I live in Texas now but but blizzards when you’re young are awesome

 

[BCClone]

7° on a Monday & 82° on Saturday of the same week.

This is Iowa alright.

7?? We are negative 5 tonight. 7 would be outright balmy.

 

[Texbudman]

While a closure can feel like an overreaction, the decision to shut down I-35 yesterday late afternoon was a smart strategic move to prevent a safety crisis as darkness was coming up. The geography of Ames north to the MN border is notoriously flat and open so even small snow amounts are blizzard-like at that point; visibility wasn't just low, it was non-existent. When you combine those whiteout conditions with the "flash freeze" from the earlier rain, the interstate essentially became a trap.

It's frustrating to have a commute blocked, but in those specific conditions, the highway becomes a graveyard for vehicles, and closing it is often the only way to keep the number of those stranded at zero or close to zero as possible.

We waited until today and are driving from KC to MPLS now. It was a bummer we had to delay our trip back home because of the roads....but I also didn't want to drive north, with my elderly parents, and get in that no-mans-land between Ames and Albert Lea and get stranded.

It's sunny but windy as hell now....but aren't to Ames yet.

Hey I grew up in that “no-man’s land”!

 

[wxman1]

 

[Cyforce]

No idea, would that compromise your insurance in the event you needed it?

I was settled a claim on a Tahoe for a sheriff department in Arkansas that they decided to chase an ATV down railroad tracks. So I’d say no they’d still pay.

 

[Erik4Cy]

7?? We are negative 5 tonight. 7 would be outright balmy.

Wasn't accounting for the wind chill, but yes it was def negative.

 

[BCClone]

Wasn't accounting for the wind chill, but yes it was def negative.

Neither am I. It’s forecast for -5 tonight just temperature, no windchill.

 

[madguy30]

My drive through eastern Iowa on Hwy 20 was generally OK but between 3:30-4:30 there were white outs and patches of sketchy snow and ice and I can see how it would be worse in the morning.

It seemed to improve as I got into the Dubuque area; the wind seemed to change and there was less blowing snow.

Temps in the 40s and 50s late in the week with some good sunlight will hopefully dissolve things pretty quickly.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

The close the interstate for not only the safety of those on the road, but also for emergency personal that have to go out in those conditions if there is a bad wreck or worst a multi car pileup. The state patrol is still out but other emergency personal do not have to be out there risking their lives.

 

[isufbcurt]

I saw 1 report yesderday that ISP didn't have enough officers to respond to all of the calls for service. One way to keep that problem from getting worse is to close the interstate. I think that was one reason among the others suggested here

To quote NWA "F the ISP"

 

[ackatch]

Weather Underground now showing a high on Saturday of 85.

Honestly - I'm not sure if I'm ready for this, but it's better than snow, so bring it on. Just gotta figure out where to put two TV's on the patio.

 

[wxman1]

 

[BigJCy]

Good lord suppose to be 105 in Phoenix today and a forecast of 100+ for the next 10 days. Seems damn early for that already.

https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/az/phoenix

 

[wxman1]

 

[NWICY]

I was settled a claim on a Tahoe for a sheriff department in Arkansas that they decided to chase an ATV down railroad tracks. So I’d say no they’d still pay.

So did they hit a train or just trash it by driving down the tracks?

 

[JP4CY]

EVERY
WINDOW
IS
OPEN