Storm System To Bring Wintry Mix and Gusty Winds Today

A storm system will work through later today bringing precipitation and gusty winds to northern Iowa so read on for the details…

A low will eject out of the Rockies this morning and bring a risk for precipitation across northern Iowa this afternoon into the evening. Temperature profiles would suggest this to be in the form of a mix including snow, rain, sleet and freezing rain. For the most part these profiles are cold enough to support a sleet/snow mix but I do see a warmer layer to suggest a small period of freezing rain could exist. So breaking this down further would lead to northwest Iowa with a very small window of light rain/snow later this afternoon as precipitation is developing and then north central Iowa with mainly snow & mixing possible. Northeast Iowa will be the area to expect a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain Sunday evening. For the icing risk, I’ll issue a Winter Weather Advisory for areas northeast of Mason City into interior northeast Iowa where a light glaze of ice will be possible. Snowfall accumulations will be fairly light with this system.

We will have an area from central into eastern Iowa where temperatures will be warmer to allow precipitation to be in the form of the rain during this event. In addition to the precipitation risk, strong southeasterly winds will be included in the system which would be a level 3 on my wind scale and also known as Wind Advisory criteria. So with that being said, consider this your advisory that covers that wind threat. The wintry mix and strong winds should come to an end later Sunday night as the system moves off to the northeast. Then all eyes will turn to another storm system that will impact the area Tuesday. The rain, snow, ice and wind models are included below.

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Rain Risk –

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Snow Risk –

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Ice Risk –

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Iowa Storm Center Wind Gust Intensity Scale –

Level 6. Damage may occur to buildings and trees. Power outages possible. High Profile Vehicle Roll-Over Likely. Do NOT recommend traveling in this zone.
Level 5. Some trees are broken, building damage possible. High Profile Vehicle Roll-Over Likely. HIGH WIND WARNING CRITERIA
Level 4. Slight damage may occur to trees/buildings. High Profile Vehicle Roll-Over Possible.
Level 3. Small branches may break, walking is difficult.
Level 2. Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk. WIND ADVISORY CRITERIA
Level 1. Small trees sway, breezy