Your First Alert: Ice Storm and Hazardous Travel Continues

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Continue to avoid travel if possible this evening, especially along and north of Interstate 80.

Your First Alert: Icy conditions continue tonight, foggy late

Areas along and south of Interstate 80 had warm air push their temperatures just above freezing, so that the wintry mix and freezing rain changed over to rain. This led to improving travel conditions through the afternoon in those areas. Areas to the north have continued to see frozen precipitation, primarily in the form of freezing rain, continue through much of the afternoon. This is because the layer of cold air near the surface has been much slower to leave the area than what was originally expected. The result has been slippery roads and hazardous travel persisting through the afternoon and into the evening across the central and northern parts of eastern Iowa.

An ice storm warning remains in effect through 6 PM (midnight for Fayette and Clayton counties), while the Winter Weather Advisory has been extended to midnight. Continue to avoid travel if possible this evening, and be extremely careful if you have to travel. Take it very slowly and allow plenty of space for stopping and following other vehicles.

Also, be aware of the possibility for continued slick spots on roadways overnight, especially near bridges and overpasses, as well as untreated roadways. Temperatures will hover right around freezing overnight, and this will slow down the melting process for icy spots on roadways. Some refreezing is possible, as well.

Fog is also expected to develop in places tonight, which is another reason to avoid travel if possible, and take things very slowly and carefully if you have to drive.

Your First Alert: Improving conditions Sunday, early next week

Temperatures Sunday are expected to climb into the upper 30s and low 40s under mostly cloudy skies. Patchy fog is expected in the morning, but clears by the afternoon. Warmer temperatures will help roads continue to thaw, and any lingering slick spots should improve through the day on Sunday. Lows fall into the low to mid 30s Sunday night. A few showers are possible overnight Sunday, but frozen precipitation is not expected, and any rain will exit the area by Monday morning. Highs are in the low to mid 40s on Monday under partly cloudy skies with lows in the mid 20s Monday night. Temperatures fall back into the 30s again for highs during the middle of next week with a slight chance for a rain or snow shower Tuesday night.

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