A winter storm swept nearly all of Iowa Monday and Tuesday, with record snowfall in Des Moines for Jan. 9, the second day of the storm, the National Weather Service said.
The 8.3 inches Tuesday easily exceeded the previous Jan. 9 record of 7.3 inches, set in 1957. In all, the storm dumped 11.2 inches.
Eastern Iowa still remained under a winter storm warning Tuesday evening, the weather service said, with reports of 11 inches or more of snow in Iowa City.
More snow could be coming, with a 40% chance on Wednesday in Des Moines increasing to a 50% chance Friday. At the same time, temperatures are forecast to plunge, the weather service said, falling to 13 below zero on Sunday night, with highs of zero forecast Sunday and Monday, Iowa Caucus day and the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
The cold snap could be accompanied by high winds, bringing dangerous wind chill, according to a forecast advisory.
On Tuesday in central Iowa, schools were closed, events were canceled and roads were difficult to travel.
Crews in Des Moines were began plowing residential streets around 3 p.m., according to a post from the city’s police department. As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, the department had written 314 citations for vehicles parked on snow routes or on the wrong side of the street in designated odd/even neighborhoods.
LIVE UPDATES:Follow the latest updates as the winter storm moves through Iowa
What were the snow totals in Des Moines, central Iowa?
Here is a look at snowfall totals reported as of 7 p.m. Tuesday:
- Des Moines: 11.2 inches
- Ames: 8.8 inches
What are some of the highest snow totals in Iowa?
Information as of 7 p.m. Tuesday:
- La Porte City: 12.8 inches
- Knoxville : 12 inches
- Patterson: 12 inches
- Dubuque: 12 inches
- Oskaloosa: 11. 5 inches
- Indianola: 11 inches
- Davenport: 10.5 inches
How to measure the snow total in your own backyard
The National Weather Service in Des Moines asks Iowans to head outside and measure their snowfall. “Your reports help us ensure your area is accurately represented,” the tweet says.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com
José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com.