Weather Alert in Iowa
Winter Storm Warning issued February 19 at 10:45AM CST until February 20 at 6:00AM CST by NWS Des Moines IA
AREAS AFFECTED: Franklin; Butler; Bremer; Hamilton; Hardin; Grundy; Black Hawk; Story; Marshall; Tama; Polk
DESCRIPTION: Precipitation will spread from western into central Iowa this afternoon and evening. Initially, it may begin as a rain/snow mix across southern and western Iowa before changing to snow. A band of 5 to 8 inches of snow is expected by Friday morning from western through central to northeastern Iowa. There will be a sharp gradient of snowfall on either side of the heaviest band of snow. Snow rates may exceed 1" per hour at times this evening leading to rapid snow accumulations on roads and slick travel conditions. A small change in the location of the band could alter forecast snow amounts. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. * WHERE...Portions of central to northeastern Iowa. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Friday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday evening commute.
INSTRUCTION: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest travel conditions, check the Iowa 511 app, www.511ia.org, or dial 511.
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Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?
Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds
Next Topic: Sleet
A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front
of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.
A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing
storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen.
As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it,
because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud,
it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.
Next Topic: Sleet
Weather Topic: What is Snow?
Home - Education - Precipitation - Snow
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
Snow is precipitation taking the form of ice crystals. Each ice crystal, or snowflake,
has unique characteristics, but all of them grow in a hexagonal structure.
Snowfall can last for sustained periods of time and result in significant buildup
of snow on the ground.
On the earth's surface, snow starts out light and powdery, but as it begins to melt
it tends to become more granular, producing small bits of ice which have the consistency of
sand. After several cycles of melting and freezing, snow can become very dense
and ice-like, commonly known as snow pack.
Next Topic: Stratocumulus Clouds
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