Travel not advised in many parts of Iowa

OSKALOOSA — Snow fall accumulations were expected to amount to just a couple of inches, but gusty winds caused travel conditions to deteriorate quickly Thursday across Iowa.

Travel was not advised across Mahaska and Marion Counties as of Thursday at 1:30 p.m., according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. A tow ban was in effect for Mahaska County.

Multiple incidents were reported along Interstate 80, including near Newton where pileup of semis and cars shut down the interstate.

Roads were mostly covered with snow as of Thursday, with blowing snow expected to be a lingering threat throughout Thursday night. Wind gusts above 20 mph were expected to continue until Friday afternoon.

Between 1 and 4 inches of snow were expected across southeastern Iowa, including Mahaska and Marion. Forecasters said the winter storm would target the Waterloo area and northeastern Iowa, where 3-7 inches were expected over the area.

Wind gusts caused most of the problem, with afternoon peaks near 40 mph in Cedar Rapids, and Grinnell areas. Those gusts caused blowing snow and reduced visibility to a quarter-mile or less.

As blizzard conditions continued, forecasters were also eying a chance for 1-3 inches of snow in Oskaloosa on Saturday. Temperatures were also expected to dip to minus-6 degrees on Saturday night, and sub-zero lows continue into the middle of next week.