Road Conditions Improving, Another Winter Storm Expected Friday

Conditions have improved following Tuesday’s winter storm.

Manchester received just over nine inches of snow total. The National Weather Service says eight to twelve inches of snow was common across eastern Iowa, with a pocket of east-central Iowa seeing twelve to fifteen inches. With 14.9 inches of snow, it was Cedar Rapids’ highest snowfall since at least 2009. And Delaware County Emergency Management Coordinator Mandy Bieber says with that much snow – especially when it’s the heavy, wet stuff – shoveling could become a hazard.

Winds diminished by early Wednesday, allowing crews to start getting the roadways cleared. Delaware County Engineer Rafe Koopman says crews weren’t able to make much progress on the county roads on Tuesday, but they were back out there at 5 am this morning. And Bieber says they’ll continue to work on the roads throughout the day.

According to the Iowa DOT, roads across northeast Iowa are partly-covered with snow this morning. Officials encourage drivers to take it slow, allow yourself plenty of time and leave extra stopping distance. All roadways will still have wet, slick spots due to the falling temperatures.

More snow is expected as the week goes on. The National Weather Service says a light round of snow will hit us with one to three inches tonight (some areas may see isolated higher amounts). And then another winter storm is expected at the end of the week late Thursday into Saturday morning. That system will bring us a 40 to 70% chance of at least six inches of snow with that system, with strong winds. 

After the next storm system, the coldest air of the season will overspread the area for the weekend. Wind chills well below zero are expected overnight Saturday into Monday, with highs struggling to reach above zero as we start next week.