Final Forecast for Developing Snow Tonight Through Saturday.

A surface low located over Colorado this afternoon will gradually strengthen with the first round of snow ongoing and the second impulse to hit later tonight through Saturday.

As the surface low moves into western Kansas this evening, forecast guidance is in good agreement on a swath of snow developing over northern Iowa as soon as 9-10 PM this evening.

By the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning, a frontogenesis banding of snow capable of 0.5-1.0” per hour rates will setup extending from eastern Nebraska through far west to north central Iowa with an area of 4-8” of snow accumulation.

Given the localized corridor of heavier snow, some areas on the outer edge of this zone can bust on totals due to the nature of the event.

This activity will gradually expand into central and eastern Iowa throughout Saturday morning with a widespread 2-5” of snow, lighter amounts around the exterior of the apparent snow band.

For that, we have expanded the moderate risk concerning heavier snow into parts of west/north central and northeast Iowa as confidence has increased since yesterday’s update.

In addition, forecast soundings indicate a warm layer above the surface with a localized freezing rain/sleet mix event on Saturday morning over far southern Iowa, near the surface low and warm frontal zone.

This portion of the forecast is a bit dicey considering exact precipitation type, though a quick glaze-0.10″ of ice accumulation is not off the table.

Aside from additional flurries and brief snow showers on the backside of the system Saturday night into Sunday morning, all activity will taper off as the system slides eastward.

– Meteorologist Maurer –