With the anticipation of a busy holiday travel weekend approaching, the Iowa Department of Transportation is cautioning drivers that the first major winter storm of the season may hamper some travel plans. The storm’s severity will vary depending on location. The National Weather Service is predicting 5 to 8 inches of snow along a line from Atlantic through Boone to Waterloo, with isolated instances of 10 inches possible. Rain is expected in southern Iowa along a line from Bedford to Oskaloosa. In between, a rain/snow mix is expected. All precipitation is expected to change to snow overnight Wednesday before ending Thursday morning.

Winds are expected to become very strong Wednesday night from the north/northwest. Sustained winds of 25 to 33 mph are expected, with gusts of 45 mph or more possible. The strongest winds are expected a few hours prior to daybreak through noon Thursday. Blizzard or near blizzard conditions may occur with visibilities reduced below one-quarter of a mile from time to time.

The Iowa DOT is offering several tips for safe winter travel during the impending storm. First, they say to ask yourself  “Is the trip necessary?” Often, delaying a trip by a few hours can give snow removal crews time to get the roads back to normal winter driving conditions. For traveler information, now available via the web, Twitter, Facebook or on your mobile phone, visit http://511ia.org/. Or simply call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide). Before you leave, let someone know your departure and expected arrival times, along with your intended route. Allow extra time to reach your destination.

Second, prepare your vehicle and passengers: Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition and its gas tank is nearly full. Turn on your vehicle’s headlights so you can see and be seen. Ensure all passengers are wearing their seat belts or are in child safety seats.

Another tip, is be prepared to use your winter driving skills: Do not use cruise control. Allow extra stopping distance by maintaining adequate distance between your vehicle and the one ahead. Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers. Lower your vehicle’s speed, accelerate more slowly and apply the brakes in a controlled manner.

Carry an emergency survival kit and other supplies.Carry a mobile phone for making an emergency call, but  don’t use it while driving unless absolutely necessary. Your vehicle’s winter survival  kit should contain items to help sustain your life and the lives of your passengers should your vehicle become stranded. Those items can include: booster cables, candles and matches, a flashlight with fresh batteries, extra blankets and warm clothes, nonperishable food items, a can for melting water, and a snow shovel. Sufficient supplies should be in the kit for all persons traveling in the vehicle.

And remember: Use caution when approaching, following or passing a snowplow.  Remember the slogans, “Ice and Snow … Take it Slow” and “Don’t crowd the plow.”

The KJAN listening area forecast from Freese-Notis, and weather data for Atlantic…

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Residents across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa should prepare for the season’s first significant snow later this week, with weather forecasters calling for up to half a foot of snow and gusty winds. The National Weather Service says a large winter storm is expected to hit Nebraska midday Wednesday and move into Iowa by Wednesday afternoon.

Service meteorologist Van DeWald, based in Valley just east of Omaha, says heavy snow coupled with 15 to 30 mile per hour winds could make travel in those areas dangerous. DeWald says eastern Nebraska can expect several inches of snow, while western Iowa could see up to six inches of snow.

COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA: CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD…343 AM CST TUE DEC 18 2012

…WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON…

PRECIPITATION WILL OVERSPREAD CENTRAL IOWA WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW IS EXPECTED ALONG AND NORTH OF AN ATLANTIC THROUGH BOONE TO WATERLOO LINE. RAIN IS EXPECTED IN SOUTHERN IOWA SOUTH OF A BEDFORD TO OSKALOOSA LINE. IN BETWEEN…A RAIN AND SNOW MIX IS EXPECTED. THIS PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO ALL SNOW LATE WEDNESDAY EVENING BEFORE ENDING THURSDAY MORNING.

5 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN THE WATCH AREA. LOCAL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 10 INCHES WILL BE VERY POSSIBLE WITH DRIFTS EVEN HIGHER. WINDS WILL BECOME VERY STRONG WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM THE NORTH NORTHWEST. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 33 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH GUSTS OVER 45 MPH POSSIBLE. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED A FEW HOURS PRIOR TO DAYBREAK THROUGH NOON THURSDAY. BLIZZARD OR NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR WITH VISIBILITIES REDUCED BELOW ONE QUARTER OF A MILE FROM TIME TO TIME.

VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING. BE PREPARED FOR VERY DIFFICULT TRAVEL AND BLIZZARD OR NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.

THIS WATCH MAY BE UPGRADED TO A BLIZZARD WATCH TODAY.

COUNTIES IN WESTERN IOWA: MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-

PAGE; 316 AM CST TUE DEC 18 2012 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE/VALLEY, NE

…A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT…

SNOW WILL BEGIN BY MIDDAY ON WEDNESDAY IN EASTERN NEBRASKA…SPREADING INTO WESTERN IOWA BY MID AFTERNOON. SNOWFALL OF UP TO SEVEN INCHES IS POSSIBLE IN THE HEAVIEST BAND…ALTHOUGH THE LOCATION AND POTENTIAL HIGHEST AMOUNTS MAY CHANGE AS THE FORECAST OF THE STORM TRACK FLUCTUATES.

GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL CREATE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING…WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW…SLEET…OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines says it seems like a lot of people are focusing only on the snow amounts with the storm system that is expected to hit Wednesday and Thursday. Officials say with the fresh snow pack, regardless of the amounts, wind gusts over 35 mph beginning early Thursday morning will create the potential for blizzard conditions throughout the day Thursday.

Be prepared for blizzard-like conditions Wednesday night and Thursday!

A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect beginning from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon for the KJAN listening area. The latest computer models show snowfall amounts will range from 5-to 8-inches across western Iowa, with some locations receiving up to 10-inches.

Of more concern to the Weather Service and Emergency Management Officials, is the winds. The Weather Service says winds will become very strong Wednesday nights from the north-to northwest, with sustained wind speeds of 20-to 30-miles per hour expected, along with occasional gusts to over 35. The strongest winds are expected at around daybreak, Thursday. Blizzard or near blizzard conditions are possible at that time, with visibilities reduced to less than one-quarter of a mile.

Very dangerous conditions are expected to develop Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Be prepared for very difficult travel and near blizzard conditions. Keep a weather radio handy, and if you plan on traveling, keep a winter weather survival kit in your vehicle. The weather service has a list of items you should keep in your kit, along with other tips on how to prepare and survive a Winter Storm in your home or vehicle, at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dmx/?n=preparewintersafety.

AREA COUNTIES: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR- MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD- http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dmx/

401 PM CST MON DEC 17 2012 …WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

* TIMING…PRECIPITATION WILL OVERSPREAD CENTRAL IOWA ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW IS EXPECTED ALONG AND NORTH OF AN ATLANTIC THROUGH BOONE TO WATERLOO LINE. RAIN IS EXPECTED IN SOUTHERN IOWA SOUTH OF A BEDFORD TO OSKALOOSA LINE. IN BETWEEN…A RAIN AND SNOW MIX IS EXPECTED. THIS PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO ALL SNOW ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT BEFORE ENDING ON THURSDAY MORNING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION…5 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED IN THE WATCH AREA. LOCAL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 10 INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY…WINDS WILL BECOME VERY STRONG ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM THE NORTH TO NORTHWEST. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH GUSTS OVER 35 MPH POSSIBLE. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED AROUND DAYBREAK ON THURSDAY WITH NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE WITH VISIBILITIES REDUCED BELOW ONE QUARTER OF A MILE FROM TIME TO TIME.

* IMPACTS…VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING. BE PREPARED FOR VERY DIFFICULT TRAVEL AND NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW…SLEET…OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

COUNTIES IN WESTERN IOWA: MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE-331 PM CST MON DEC 17 2012

…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT. SNOW WILL BEGIN BY AROUND MIDDAY ON WEDNESDAY IN EASTERN NEBRASKA…SPREADING INTO WESTERN IOWA BY MID AFTERNOON. PRECIPITATION MAY BEGIN AS A WINTRY MIX ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80…BUT ALL AREAS SHOULD CHANGE TO SNOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY WEDNESDAY EVENING.

SNOWFALL OF NEAR OR ABOVE SIX INCHES IS POSSIBLE IN THE HEAVIEST BAND…THOUGH THE LOCATION AND POTENTIAL HIGHEST AMOUNTS MAY CHANGE AS THE RAIN-SNOW LINE FLUCTUATES. GUSTY NORTH WINDS WILL CREATE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW ON WEDNESDAY EVENING AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT…WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS POSSIBLE.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW…SLEET…OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

The Freese-Notis (podcast) forecast for Atlantic, and the KJAN listening area, and weather data for Atlantic…

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INCLUDING THE CITIES OF…ATLANTIC

328 AM CST MON DEC 17 2012

TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FOG THROUGH MID MORNING. HIGH IN THE UPPER 30S. WEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHWEST AROUND 5 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE UPPER 20S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TUESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 40S. WEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHEAST AFTER MIDNIGHT.

WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY…COLDER. HIGH IN THE MID 30S. NORTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT…SNOW…BREEZY. LOW IN THE LOWER 20S. CHANCE OF SNOW 80 PERCENT.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE MORNING. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 20S.