Weather Alert in Iowa
Winter Storm Watch issued March 14 at 3:06AM CDT until March 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
AREAS AFFECTED: Cass; Adair; Madison; Warren; Marion; Mahaska
DESCRIPTION: ...POTENTIAL WINTER STORM PRODUCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS LATE 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. A brief period of freezing rain is possible Sunday morning prior to switching over to snow. 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 are possible with lesser snow extending down into south central Iowa. * WHAT...Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph. * WHERE...Portions of south central Iowa. * WHEN...From Sunday morning through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
INSTRUCTION: Prepare for possible blizzard conditions. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
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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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