More:The latest from Tuesday on the snowstorm that hit Des Moines
More:Des Moines-area school closings, late starts, virtual classes
12:14 a.m.:The National Weather Service says 10.3inches of snow fell Monday at the Des Moines International Airport.
Earlier:
Provided Monday's snowstorm is as severe as expected, winter 2020-21 is on track to be the snowiest in Des Moines in at least five years.
The stormcould bring 10to 14 inches of snow to Des Moines. By Tuesday, even the minimum forecast by the National Weather Service— 7 inches— would put it ahead of the total for three of the four winters preceding this one. After that, just average snowfall in February, March and April would put it ahead of the very snowy winter of 2018-19, when Des Moines saw a total of 48.8 inches, according to National Weather Service records.
As of 6 p.m., the Des Moines metro has gottenbetween 4.9 inches and 7 inches, according to Cory Martin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines.
If Des Moines gets another 5 or more inches of snow before midnight, Monday will be the snowiest Jan. 25 in history— a record set in 1895.
Snow won't stop after midnight, but it's expected to slow down. Between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, central Iowa is expected to get between another 4 to 8 inches of snow. Until midnight, the area should continue to expect at least an inch of snow each hour, Martin said.
"It's going to be a continuous, good amount of snowfall," he said.
Heavy snowfall, especially in the evening, means heavy accumulation,Alex Krull, a NWS meteorologist said.
"When you get into accumulation like that, you get into fast accumulation on roads as well as substantial reductions in visibility," Krull said.
The winter storm warning that stretches across Iowa is in effectuntil 6 a.m. Tuesday. Thundersnow is even possible across Plains states, according to the NWS. Winds could gusts over 30 mph.
Travel will be "difficult to impossible" south of Interstate Highway 80. Whiteout and blizzard conditions are possible.
Since 1884,nine storms have dropped a foot of snow or more in a single day in Des Moines, according to the National Weather Service.
The Des Moines Register E-edition will be free on Tuesday.We are making it available to all in the wake of Monday's snowstorm, which caused delivery issues for some print subscribers across the state.
Readers may report delivery issues to customer service at help.DesMoinesRegister.com or 1-877-424-0225.
Central Iowa schools cancel or delay Tuesday classes
While some central Iowa schools are canceling classes or starting late on Tuesday because of snow, Des Moines Public Schools will hold classes virtually.
Saydel joins DMPS in holding classes virtually.
Meanwhile, the Ankeny, Johnston and Southeast Polk school systems all announced Tuesday morning that they were was canceling all classes for the day. Other schools that are cancelling include:
- Bondurant-Farrar;
- Grand View Christian;
- Mount Olive Lutheran;
- St. Theresa;
- North Polk;
- Carlisle;
- Indianola;
- Martensdale-St. Mary's;
- Southeast Warren;
- Victory Christian
- Norwalk;
- Perry Community;
- Woodward Academy Day School;
- Woodward-Granger;
- St. Patrick's.
In a Facebook post Monday afternoon, West Des Moines Community School District officials said they are considering an adjusted schedule and are asking parents to prepare for a possible two-hour delay Tuesday morning. If class cannot be held on-site, it willtransition to online learning forall students, according to officials.
Dowling Catholic will have a 10 a.m. start.St. Francis school will have a two-hour delay and morning preschool is canceled.
In Dallas County, Adel-Desoto-Minburn and Van Meter will have a two-hour delay and morning preschool is canceled.
For the latest on school cancelations, check your schools district's website.
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Crash on I-80 near Newton causes delays
The right lane of I-80, between Exist 173, Country Road and Exit 168, is blocked due to a multi-vehicle crash, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. There's a two-minutedelay eastbound, and a five-minute delay westbound.
DMPD and Iowa State Patrol crash reports
The Iowa State Patrol responded to 47 weather-related vehicle crashes and 131 motor assists from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. across the state, the agency reported. One crash resulted in an injury.
From11:30 a.m. to5:30 p.m., Des Moines Police Department officers have responded to 33 weather-related vehicle crashes, DMPD Spokesperson Paul Parizek said. Of those, 28 were property damage only, three resulted in minor injuries and two were hit-and-run crashes, Parizek said. Nine vehicles were stalled.
Des Moines could set daily record for snowfall
With the forecast calling for up 14 inches of snow in central Iowa, there's a chance Des Moines sets a new daily record for snowfall on Jan. 25. The current record, which has stood since 1895, is 10 inches,according to the National Weather Service.
The top five snowfalls on the date Jan. 25 are:
- 10 inches in 1895
- 6.4 inches In 2010
- 6.2 inches in 1941
- 5.5 inches in 1902
- 3.5 inches in 1958
Des Moines flights delayed, canceled
Severalflights into and out of Des Moines International Airport have been canceled or delayed Monday, according to the airport's website. Travelers are encouraged to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. As of 3:30p.m. an American Airlines flight to Phoenixat 3:50 isthe only flight departing Des Moines that is still on schedule.
'Travel not advised'
By 2:30 p.m. "travel was not advised" on several major highways in western and central. Iowa.Interstate Highway 80 into West Des Moines, Interstate Highway 29 and U.S. Highway 169 were among the roads on which travel was not advised, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Interstate Highway 35 southwest of Des Moines was covered in snow. Interstate 80 was partially covered in snow. Roads farther east were quickly becoming snow covered.
Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla said road conditions weredeteriorating quickly across the state.
Troopers west of Des Moines on Interstate 80 have already seen a handful of crashes without injuries, but with property damage, he said.Numerous vehicles also already slid off roads in central Iowa, he said.
“The big thing that people are seeing is that this snow system is packing a big punch,” Dinkla said. “As we have seen this system move into Iowa, the road conditions go from zero snow on the road to an immediate totally covered roadway in just a matter of minutes.”
Wind with the system is already causing reduced and low visibility, Dinkla said. He advised people to stay off the roads. Low visibilities and slick conditions also create conditions for chain reaction crashes, Dinkla said.
“For everyone’s safety it’s best to try to pause those trips if you don’t have to do it,” Dinkla said. “And enjoy a good movie or something at home tonight.”
Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ryan DeVault tweeted around 1:45 p.m. that 3 Iowa DOT snowplows ha been struck in western Iowa over the previous two hours.
"Please slow down and increase following distance while being alert for flashing orange, white and blue lights!" he wrote.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ryan Evans advised travelers to drive with their headlights on so other motorists can see their tail lights on vehicles.
“It’s so important because it notifies other motorists that you’re coming, Evans said. “So often they rely on just their driving lights, but they don’t realize that doesn’t turn their tail lights on.”
Test Iowa Sites closing early Monday, opening late Tuesday
The state of Iowa has announced it will close its five Test Iowa drive-thru sites early Monday because of awinter storm.
- Council Bluffs closed at 11 a.m. Monday;
- Des Moines closed at noon Monday;
- Cedar Rapids to close at 2p.m. Monday;
- Davenport to close at 2p.m. Monday;
- Waterloo to close at 3p.m. Monday.
In addition, all state-operated sites will open two hours late Tuesday. Anychanges in hours will be made locally, according to a news release.
For more information, visit testiowa.com or coronavirus.iowa.gov.
Des Moines Public works prepared for blizzard conditions
Des Moines Public Works Director Jonathan Gano warned drivers to stay off roads Monday afternoon, but said the city’s 200 person team is ready to plow roads.
Each shift has 100 people from several city departments who drive 12-hour shifts where they plow 750 miles of the most commonly used streets. Each loop is supposed to take drivers 1.5 to 2.5 hours to clear.
Gano warned that conditions will be pretty dicey Monday afternoon. Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour will make conditions dangerous for drivers and plow drivers, he said.
“That’s a lot of snow showing up real fast,” Gano said. “If you have 2 inches per hour accumulating and they’re moving slowly because of blizzard conditions, you can have 4 inches on the roadway accumulate in the span of time that the plow has made one complete pass.”
Before Monday’s storm, Des Moines got 29 inches of snow this fall and winter, which is about 10 inches more than normal. But the city is maintaining its supplies of road salt and its overtime budget, Gano said.
Although the city has had a few higher than usual snow events it’s also had fewer small snow events. The city activates its full snow response plan with 2-inch storms which require the whole city to be plowed. Because of the big breaks between the large storms the city has only used about 25% of its snow budget, Gano said.
“A 2-inch snowstorm takes about the same amount of effort as a 6 inch-snowstorm to clear off,” Gano said. “I vastly prefer one 6-inch snowstorm with a couple weeks break in between than 2 inches on Monday and 2 inches on Friday and 2 inches the following Wednesday.
That’s where it really eats into the budget.”
Some piles of snow still remain from the Jan. 15 blizzard when the city got 5.5 inches of snow. Most snow piles up well, but some spills back into the roadways, Gano said.
“That is one of the pieces of the art of snowplowing,” Gano said. “We aim to plow to the curb, but if there’s just not enough room to get all that snow piled up on the side of the road it might spill into the roadway.”
Des Moines Public Library, other libraries closing
All Des Moines Public Library locations will close at 2 p.m. Monday. No in-person or curbside services will be provided at that time. Virtual programs will continue as scheduled.
Deadlines for holds pickup and items due Monday and Tuesday have been extended to Wednesday.
The Johnston Public Library also closed at 2 p.m.
Blank Children's Hospital closing several clinics
Blank Children's Hospital, owned by Unity Point Health, will close numerous clinics at 2:30 p.m. Monday. These clinics will re-open Tuesday at 10 a.m.
The clinics affected are the following:
- Blank Children's Cancer and Blood Disorder Center
- Blank Children's STAR Center
- Blank Children's Developmental Center
- Blank Children's Psychology Clinic
- Blank Children's Adolescent Clinic
- Blank Children's Diagnostic Clinic
- Blank Children's Infectious Disease Clinic
- Blank Pediatric Endocrinology
- Blank Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Blank Infusion Center
- Blank Children's Neurology Clinic
- Blank Children's Orthopaedic Clinic
- Blank Children's Psychiatry Clinic
- Blank Pediatric Pulmonary
- Blank Children's Surgery Clinic
- Blank Children's Pediatric Clinic
- Methodist Perinatal Center
- Midwife Services of UnityPoint Health - Des Moines
- UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Perinatal Center
Snow arrives in Iowa
Roads across southwest Iowa were partially and completely covered in snow by 11a.m. Interstate Highway 29, U.S. Highway 34 and Iowa Highway 2 were among roads completely covered in snow, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Alex Krull, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines, saidthat the heaviest amounts of snowwill hit southwest Iowa between 2 and 4 p.m. Central Iowa, including Des Moines, will get the heaviest amounts of snow between 4and 6 p.m., Krull said.
Eastern Iowa will get their heaviest amounts between 6and 8 p.m.,he said. The greatest impacts from the storm will occur because of snowfall rates between 1 to 2 inches per hour, Krull said.
"When you get into accumulation like that, you get into fast accumulation on roads as well as substantial reductions in visibility," Krull said.
Snow will likely start off as a heavy snow then change to a more fluffysnow at the end of the event, he said.A very strong low pressure system is moving through the area and wrapped up a lot of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, Krull said.
"So anytime that you have a low pressure system that has a lot of vertical motion it brings in a lot of moisture it typically produces a lot of snowfall," Krull said.
Visibilities of less than one-quarter mile are expected. But wind gustsare not expected to hit 35 mph, so blizzard criteria likely will not be reached, Krull said. There is the potential for power outages if snow sticks to power lines, he said.
Des Moines, other central Iowa schools dismissing early
Des Moines Public Schools has joined other central Iowa systems in announcing that classes will be dismissed early on Monday.
DMPS announced on Twitter that it will dismiss two hours early: elementary schools will dismiss at 12:40 p.m. and middle and high schools will dismiss at 1:25 p.m.
More:The latest on school dismissals, closures in central Iowa
There are no afternoon classes for early childhood and early childhood special education programs, and no Metro Kids after school program today. Online classes for students in the virtual and hybrid learning models will only be asynchronous this afternoon.
Other metro Des Moines schools that are dismissing early are:
- Ankeny Community Schools will dismiss twohours early today
- West Des Moines Community Schools will dismiss two hours early.
- Indianola Community School District schools will dismiss 90 minutes early Monday. No activities or remote learning will take place.
- Saydel Community School District schools will close at 1 p.m. All evening activities are canceled or postponed.
- Southeast Polk will dismiss in-person and remote classes two hours early.
- Dallas Center-Grimes will close at 1 p.m. No afternoon preschool or evening activities. After school care closes at 4 p.m.
- Carlisle, early dismissal at 1:30 p.m. Monday. No P.M. preschool. All afternoon activities cancelled.
- Norwalk will dismiss students two hours early at 1:15 p.m. There will be no afternoon preschool.
- Johnston schools, including digital learning students, will dismiss two hours early. There is no afternoon developmental kindergarten or preschool. KTC childcare will close at 4 p.m.
- The Bondurant-Farr school system already said it's letting school out early Monday at 12:30 p.m. There will be no after school or evening activities.
Some central Iowa schools that are dismissing early:
- The Winterset Community School District will dismiss two hours early with no afternoon preschool.
- Woodward-Granger Community Schools will dismiss early at 1 p.m. Hawks nest will remain open.
- The Clarke Community School District in Osceola canceled school and all activities.
- Adel-Desoto-Minburn will dismiss at 1 p.m. No afternoon preschool will be held and evening activities are canceled.
- Ballard schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. Monday - No evening activities or PM preschool.
While many central Iowa announced early dismissals ahead of the storm, Urbandale took a different approach.
Urbandale announced in a tweet that it canceled all school, remote learning and Adventuretime for Monday.
All DMACC locations closed at noon Monday, the school tweeted, while virtual and online classes were expected to continue as scheduled.
Simpson College tweeted that the campus would remain open Monday and classes there would go as scheduled, but evening classes at the West Des Moines campus will be held online.
Singing at home while school is out
The Missouri Valley Community School District in western Iowa had fun last night while announcing school would be canceled.
Brent Hoesing, the district's superintendent is known for his song parodies announcing school cancelations. On Sunday night, Hoesing announced school would be closed Monday while parodyingGloria Gaynor's 1978 hit "I Will Survive."
How much snow will the rest of Iowa get?
Areas west and south of Des Moines could get slightly less snow. Atlantic was forecast to get 9 to 14 inches. Osceola was forecast to get 9 to 13 inches. Lamoni and Ottumwa were forecast to get 7 to 11 inches and 6 to 10 inches respectively.
Carroll, Ames and Marshalltown could all get at least seven inches. Nebraska City and Red Oak could get 12 to 18 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Omaha.
There is less certainty about expected snow totals in northern Iowa. Fort Dodge and Waterloo were expected to get 5 to 10 inches. Storm Lake could get 3 to 8 inches and Mason City could get 2 to 7 inches.
How will this snow compare to big storms of the past?
If Des Moines gets 14 inches of snow Monday, it would make it the fourth-largest snowstorm on a single-date in the city's history. A total of 11.8 inches would tie the storm for the No. 10 largest single-day snowstorm.
Nine storms have dropped a foot of snow or more in Des Moines in a single day, according to the National Weather Service.
Over the city's history, these whoppers have delayed train travel, scuttled major events and even created St. Patrick's Day surprises.
More:Here are the largest single-day snowstorms in Des Moines history
Emergency snow parking bans enacted
Indianola, Waukee, West Des Moines, Ames, Norwalk and Marshalltown wereamong cities that already enacted emergency snow parking bans.
Cities and towns can issue snow ordinances or snow emergencies to reduce travel and keep the streets clear, whichallows for plows to pass easily, as well as emergency vehicles.
Each city has its own specifics on where and when to move your car as well as fines, tickets, and the possibility of being towed.
More:Wondering what a snow emergency or ordinance is? Here's how your town defines it.
Philip Joens covers breaking news for The Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.Reporter Robin Opsahl contributed to this article.
Register reporter Robin Opsahl contributed to this report.