Official Winter Storm Thread for 12/21 - 12/26

[cycloner29]

Snowing like crazy in Harlan. Drove from Carroll at 3 this afternoon, roads were 100% snow and ice covered. It took just over an hour which is just a tad longer than usual.The wind was picking up and all the ice down here branches were snapping off and I saw four Mid American energy boom trucks headed down the road. They are expecting up to 18" in some areas here.

 

[CloneBack]

I'm in Mexico and it was 85 today, I have a sunburn between my eyes where I didn't apply sun screen. The roads are great here... well you know what I mean.

I'm just sayin...

 

[cyrocksmypants]

I just wanted to say thanks to those that were giving me updates on the weather conditions in my route home. I really appreciated the heads up.

I'm really convinced that only fellow Cyclones would be so helpful.

 

[tigershoops31]

Any word on how the roads are looking for tomorrow morning between Ames and SE Iowa? It normally takes about 3 hours for us to get home, we're planning to leave 5 hours before our family get-together. Sounds like once we get east of Des Moines on 80 we should be alright but I'm just concerned about getting to that point...anybody heard anything?

 

[MBulldog]

Just did some driving around Des Moines, and it's very slick out right now.

 

[jsb]

Any word on how the roads are looking for tomorrow morning between Ames and SE Iowa? It normally takes about 3 hours for us to get home, we're planning to leave 5 hours before our family get-together. Sounds like once we get east of Des Moines on 80 we should be alright but I'm just concerned about getting to that point...anybody heard anything?

It just depends on how much snow we get. I've seen as little as 3-6 (from KCCI) to 5-10 (from WHO) to 8-11 to 11-14 (from WOI).

It'll be slow going early before the plows get out, it'll be bad if we end up with 8 or more, but if we can get by with 3-6, we'll be in better shape.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Any word on how the roads are looking for tomorrow morning between Ames and SE Iowa? It normally takes about 3 hours for us to get home, we're planning to leave 5 hours before our family get-together. Sounds like once we get east of Des Moines on 80 we should be alright but I'm just concerned about getting to that point...anybody heard anything?

What was said above, only wanted to add that the winds are supposed to be 20-35 mph tomorrow so we get the 9" from what I heard with the winds and it could be pretty nasty till the winds die down. They still talk like they aren't 100% sure what this storm is going to do though

 

[jsb]

What was said above, only wanted to add that the winds are supposed to be 20-35 mph tomorrow so we get the 9" from what I heard with the winds and it could be pretty nasty till the winds die down. They still talk like they aren't 100% sure what this storm is going to do though

Yeah, the weather service just had an update to their winter storm warning and really downgraded the amount of snow that the eastern part of the warning area should get (Des Moines is in the eastern part) 4-8 total in the eastern part and 2-9 tonight (less in the east).

 

[hawkfan]

I live up in Humboldt county, and right now the roads are 100% snow/ice covered. Snow is falling and the wind gusts are currently getting up to around 35 MPH. If you have ANY plans of traveling NW of Des Moines tomorrow, change them. It is a complete mess up here. It just took me about 40 minutes to travel 10 miles. I couldn't see 10 yards in front of me.

It is a complete mess up here....change your plans, don't travel NW of of Des Moines.

 

[CyPride]

I just wanted to say thanks to those that were giving me updates on the weather conditions in my route home. I really appreciated the heads up.

I'm really convinced that only fellow Cyclones would be so helpful.

riigghhhttt.....

 

[cyman1189]

just got home from a xmas dinner at grandmas in CB... pretty scary drive

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Man you can check out 4 different websites and get 4 different snow totals. You can listen to the three local channels in Des Moines and they have different levels. I guess I'll take that as proof that this storm still has the upper hand on what it's going to do. Not sure if I have ever seen that much variability in storm forecasts.

Crazy.....Hopefully Santa has the correct info on his routes.

 

[Palmer]

riigghhhttt.....

No...he is right.

Panther and Hawk fans are notorious for sending ISU peeps out into harsh weather on purpose.

 

[IcSyU]

Kossuth County = complete mess on the roads.

 

[rdubbs]

Anyone travel east of Ames on 30 tonight?

 

[BigBake]

KCCI way downgraded the totals for DSM now...only 3"-6".

 

[garn91]

KCCI way downgraded the totals for DSM now...only 3"-6".

Last I saw the latest Winter Storm Warning from the NWS and they had Des Moines in the 12-18 inch snow zone. Latest Ankeny forecast has the following:

Overnight: Snow and areas of blowing snow. Low around 26. Windy, with a north northwest wind between 17 and 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Christmas Day: Snow and areas of blowing snow. High near 31. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 14 to 18 mph becoming south southeast. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 17. Wind chill values as low as 5. South southeast wind 10 to 14 mph becoming north. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 24. Wind chill values as low as 5. North northwest wind between 10 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

 

[wxman1]

I don't think cr will have it that bad. Now we just have to convince grandma in the morning to still have Christmas tomorrow.

 

[tigershoops31]

Anyone travel east of Ames on 30 tonight?

Yep it's completely clear and perfect weather conditions...they recommend that you go AT LEAST 80-90 mph and hammer the brakes rather than tap them :wink:

Sorry just being an *** since somebody said Cyclone fans give the best directions...thought somebody should lead you astray

I'm heading that way tomorrow morning and really hoping it's drive-able :yes:

 

[rdubbs]

I'm suppose to go to Tama tomorrow morning and really hoping it's just wet (as the DOT website said at last check)

Iowa DOT Travel Information Service