Update (2:35 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4):

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has updated its winter weather warning and has removed Story County from the warning area.

The forecast for Ames calls for a 50 percent chance of snow, with less than an inch of additional accumulation possible.

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Update: (5:08 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3):

The National Weather Service has upgraded the winter storm watch to a winter storm warning for Story County. The warning officially begins at midnight and continues until 6 a.m. Sunday.

Rain is expected to mix with snow around 9 p.m. and become completely snow around midnight. Snowfall estimates remain at 4-6 inches for Ames.

The Iowa State Daily will continue to monitor updates from the National Weather Service and post them as they become available.

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Update: (3:31 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3):

A winter storm watch remains in effect for Ames and Story County until late Saturday night.

The National Weather Service has increased the snowfall estimates for Ames in its most recent forecast. About an inch of snowfall is expected tonight, and 3-5 inches are expected for Saturday.

The Iowa State Daily will continue to monitor information from the National Weather Service and posted updates as they become available.

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Update (8:09 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3):

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has updated the winter storm watch again, this time to add Story County back into the watch area. The watch, which officially begins later tonight, will continue through late Saturday night.

Rain is expected this afternoon and will begin a gradual transition to snow late this evening. The heaviest snowfall is expected early Saturday morning. Snowfall estimates have increased to 4-8 inches.

The NWS forcast for Ames calls for rain this afternoon, with one tenth of an inch of rain possible. The rain is expected to begin changing to snow around 9 p.m. and become all snow around midnight and continue through Saturday. Total snow accumulation is forecast at 2-4 inches in Ames.

Northeast winds are expected to cause some blowing snow throughout the system. Sustained winds will be 14-16 mph with gusts as high as 22 mph.

The Iowa State Daily will continue to monitor information from the National Weather Service and post any updates as they become available.

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Update (1:29 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2):

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has revised the winter storm watch issues earlier today. Story County is no longer included in the watch, but Ames may still see a rain, sleet and snow Friday night into Saturday.

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The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a winter storm watch for Friday evening until late Saturday night.

A strong low pressure system will track across Kansas and into Central Missouri throughout the day Friday and into Saturday, according to the watch.

Heavy snow is possible across central to western Iowa. Rain is expected Friday afternoon before changing to a snow mix Friday evening and eventually snow overnight. Moderate to locally heavy snow is possible by Saturday morning and will continue through Saturday evening. 

Snowfall totals are expected to be between 4 and 7 inches. Northeast winds at 20-30 mph will cause visibility restrictions and drifting snow on Saturday and Saturday night.

The Iowa State Daily will continue to monitor the situation and post any updates as they become available.