1134 AM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026

…BLIZZARD CONDITIONS SUNDAY INTO MONDAY MORNING…

A significant winter storm will impact parts of the Upper Midwest this weekend, mainly from Sunday through Monday morning. Widespread snow will fall across Iowa with higher amounts of 6+ inches possible north and east. Winds will gust 55-65+ mph, resulting in significant drifting of snow and visibility reductions. Travel will become very dangerous, if not impossible at times across parts of northern and eastern Iowa. Precipitation will begin as rain on Sunday morning and
transition to a wintry mix, which may produce a light glaze of ice, before transitioning fully to snow.

Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison Counties:

…BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 7 AM CDT MONDAY…

* WHAT…Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 to 65 mph.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage and result in power outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. For the latest travel conditions, check the Iowa 511 app, www.511ia.org, or dial 511.

Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold Counties….

…HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM SUNDAY TO 4 AM CDT MONDAY…

Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-
Page Counties: HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SUNDAY TO 1 AM CDT MONDAY.

* WHAT…North winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55-65 mph possible.

* IMPACTS…Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especiallyfor high profile vehicles. With snowfall, white-out conditions are expected at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive.

Monona-Shelby Counties….

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM CDT SUNDAY…

* WHAT…Strong winds with snow expected to cause periods of whiteout conditions. Visibility will drop below a quarter mile at times. Total snow accumulations up to three inches. Winds gusting 55 to 65 mph, a few gusts to 70 mph possible.

* IMPACTS…Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility. Plan on slippery road conditions. Very strong winds may cause damage to trees and isolated to scattered power outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Harrison-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Page Counties…

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM CDT SUNDAY…

* WHAT…Very strong winds with periods of snow will lead to greatly reduced visibility. Occasional whiteout conditions possible with visibility below a quarter mile. Total snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds gusting 55 to 65 mph, a few gusts to 70 mph possible.

* IMPACTS…Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Slippery roads possible. Very strong winds may cause damage to trees and isolated to scattered power outages.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by
calling 5 1 1.

Area Counties: Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills

WINTER STORM WATCH FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

* WHAT…Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph.

HIGH WIND WATCH FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT…Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

Area Counties: Cass-Adair-Madison-Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold…

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING…

* WHAT…Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph.

Area Counties: Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold…

HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT…North winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55-60 mph possible.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH:

* IMPACTS…Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Prepare for possible blizzard conditions. Continue to monitor the atest forecasts for updates on this situation. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

FOR THE HIGH WIND WARNING:

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.

Keep up with the latest forecast at https://www.weather.gov/dmx/

Today: Mostly sunny & breezy, with a high near 59. Winds SE @ 10-25 mph.
Tonight: A 40% chance of rain and thunderstorms after midnight. A low around 34. SE winds 15-25 mph.
Tomorrow: Rain likely before 11am, then snow. Patchy blowing snow after noon. Temperature falling to around 29 by 5pm. Very windy. N/NW winds 15-35 mph w/gusts to near 50 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. **Winter Storm Watch in effect beginning at 10-a.m. and continuing through 10-a.m. Monday**High Wind Watch from 1-p.m. today through 1-a.m, Monday**
Tom. Night: A 30% chance of snow before 1am. Widespread blowing snow, mainly before 7pm. A low around 4. NW winds 30-45 mph.  New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday: Patchy blowing snow. Sunny, with a high near 23. Windy.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 4.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Breezy.

The Des Moines National Weather Service has produced a weather briefing concerning the following hazardous weather.

* WHAT – Winter Storm, with Blizzard conditions possible

* WHERE – Central and Northern Iowa

* WHEN – Late Saturday night through Sunday night

The briefing is available at https://www.weather.gov/media/dmx/DssPacket.pdf

The next email briefing is scheduled to be sent by around 8 AM on Saturday, March 14th.

Sac-Carroll-Guthrie-Dallas Counties…

POTENTIAL WINTER STORM PRODUCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT…

A potentially significant winter storm will impact parts of the Upper Midwest this weekend, mainly from late Saturday night through Sunday night, with lingering impacts from blowing snow lasting into
Monday morning. A swath of heavy snowfall and strong winds may result in blizzard conditions and significant impacts, especially on Sunday. There is still some uncertainty in how far south into Iowa
the heaviest snowfall may occur, but the most likely areas to see the higher snowfall amounts are over northern Iowa, though blizzard conditions with lesser snow as far south as along the I-80 corridor
is possible.

WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7-p.m. SUNDAY THROUGH 10-a.m. MONDAY…

* WHAT…Accumulating snow and blizzard conditions are possible. Total snow accumulations up to 3 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie Counties: WINTER STORM WATCH & HIGH WIND WATCH from 7-a.m. Sunday through 1-a.m. Monday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds
could bring down tree branches.

For the HIGH WIND WATCH: Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible.

* IMPACTS…Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Today: Sunny to partly sunny & windy, with a high near 47. NW winds 20-40 mph decreasing to 10-20 mph in the afternoon. **Wind Advisory until 7-a.m.**
Tonight: Mostly cloudy w/a 20% chance of snow after 11pm. A low around 30. Winds N @ 5-10 becoming easterly.
Tomorrow: Partly sunny with a high near 56. E/SE winds 10-25 mph.
Tom. Night: Rain likely, mainly after 1am. A low around 33. E/SE winds 15-25 mph.
Sunday: Rain before 1pm, then snow. Windy. High near 50. .
Sunday Night: Snow, mainly before 7pm. Windy & cold. Low around 5.
Monday: Sunny & windy, with a high near 21.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 62. The Low was 21. Last year on this date (March 13th), the High in Atlantic was 78 & the Low was 29. The Record High was 79 in 2012, & the Record Low was -11 in 1948 & 1975. Sunrise: 7:367; Sunset: 7:24.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI-TV] — Iowa saw its first tornadoes of 2026 Tuesday night. That’s according to National Weather Service damage surveys conducted Wednesday. NWS data shows two tornadoes formed from a severe storm in Lee County in far southeast Iowa. Both twisters have been rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.

The first tornado touched down at 9:05 PM Tuesday just southwest of Donnellson. That’s about 10 miles west of Fort Madison. This tornado lasted just three minutes and traveled a mile and a half, damaging trees and some outbuildings, with peak winds estimated at 100 mph. The second tornado formed about 20 minutes later near a county park east of Donnellson. This tornado traveled two miles with winds of 90 mph. It mostly damaged trees and the exterior of a house.

Iowa’s first tornadoes of 2025 also occurred in the first half of March. Last year began with a brief tornado east of Iowa City near the town of Wilton on March 14. A total of 32 tornadoes eventually struck Iowa in 2025, down significantly from 2024 and below average

Today: Mostly sunny & windy. A high near 61. S/SW winds 5-15 mph increasing to 20 mph this morning gusting to near 40 this afternoon. **RED FLAG WARNING from Noon until 9-p.m. for critical fire weather conditions. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy & windy w/a 20% chance of rain. Low around 32. S/SW winds @ 25-35 mph becoming NW overnight & gusting to near 50 mph.
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy & windy. A high near 48. NW winds 15-35 mph.
Tom. Night: A 30% chance of snow, mainly after midnight. Low around 30. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52.
Sat. Night: A 70% chance of showers & possibly a thunderstorm. A low around 30.
Sunday: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 1pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Windy. A High near 41.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy & windy, with a low around 6.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 43. The Low was 21. We received .2″ of snow over the past 24-hours (ending at 7-a.m. today). Last year on this date (March 12th), the High in Atlantic was 71 & the Low was 24. The Record High was 74 in 1938, & the Record Low was -21 in 1998. Sunrise: 7:37; Sunset: 7:23.

(Radio Iowa) – Many areas of the state got a quick taste of snow this (Wednesday) morning, and now the forecast is calling heavy winds to blow in. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff says the snow accumulations were around an inch in most areas. “The most remarkable thing really was how quickly it fell and then disappeared. We went through kind of a six hour period where we went from no snow to an inch of snow and back to no snow again,” she says.

Hagenhoff says whatever moisture we got from the snow is going to soon be blown away. “We’re looking at wind gusts between 35 to 45 mile per hour during the daytime on Thursday,” she says. “And we actually have a red flag warning out for those winds along with dry conditions. And so we’re worried about any burning that could happen tomorrow.” Hagenhoff says the winds will have some staying power Thursday.

As we move later in the day, we’re actually expecting winds to continue to increase and switch direction. And so overnight, they’ll transition to out of the northwest and increase. We’re expecting wind gusts from 50 to 60 mph possible late Thursday night through Friday morning,” Hagenhoff says. It might seem like the snow that came and melted would keep things from being dry, but she says the winds are going to take care of the moisture left behind.

“The wind as it starts to increase kind of through this evening and gradually increase into the day on Friday or on Thursday should be able to dry out those fuels pretty quickly,” she says. “We’re also looking at the relative humidity on Thursday is going to be between 20 to 30 So very low across the area, which will help to dry out fuels and create just dry air conditions.”

She says two areas of the state are at the greatest risk for fire issues. “Mainly western and southwestern Iowa are the largest concerns. We could certainly see those conditions start to creep towards central Iowa and further east, kind of across into southeast Iowa. But certainly western Iowa is going to see the driest conditions,” she says.

The red flag warning advises against any outside burning due to the dry, windy conditions.