Snowfall estimates continue to fluctuate, blizzard warning issued for Tuesday
January 30, 2011
Update (1-31-2011, 4:46 p.m.):
An updated forecast for the Ames area increases the snow total slightly and adds a blizard warning for Tuesday, Feb. 1.
Wind speeds of 25-35 mph are forecast for Tuesday into Wednesday. The blizzard warning is effective from noon Tuesday to noon Wednesday.
The warning also said, “bitterly cold winds chills in the teens and 20s below zero will also be present by Wednesday morning.”
Revised snow totals call for 1 inch of snow on Monday, 2 inches overnight, 2 inches during the day Tuesday and 2-3 inches Tuesday night. Total storm snowfall estimates are at 6-10 inches.
The city of Ames scheduled the snow ordinance to go into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Update (1-31-2011, 12:59 p.m.):
With snow already begining to fall in Ames, the National Weather Service again adjusted its snowfall estimate. The current forecast calls for 1 inch of snowfall during the day on Monday, 2-3 inches overnight and 2-3 inches Tuesday. Storm totals are now forecast at 5-7 inches.
The winter storm watch and winter weather advisory remain in effect and continue to state that storm totals could reach 8-14 inches across central and south central Iowa.
The watch and advisory also caution that “some uncertainty still exists with the exact track the second storm.” This uncertainity could keep the snowfall estimates fluctuating throught the day and into tomorrow.
Keep checking www.iowastatedaily.net for the latest updates.
Update (1-31-2011, 8:20 a.m.):
The National Weather Service has adjusted the Ames snowfall forecast. The new estimates call for 1-2 inches Monday, 1-3 inches overnight, and 2-4 inches Tuesday. Storm totals are now at 4-9 inches, but could change again as the track of the second part of the storm finalizes.
Update (1-31-2011, 8:03 a.m.):
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has added a winter storm watch starting at noon Tuesday, Feb. 1 and continuing through Wednesday morning.
The winter storm watch calls the system “a potent two-part winter storm.” It also indicates that as much as 8-14 inches will be possible after both storms move through central and south central Iowa.
The forecast for Ames indicates 1-3 inches of snow is possible for Monday, with another 2-4 inches overnight and 2-4 inches during the day on Tuesday. Current totals for Ames are forecast at 5-11 inches, but the winter storm watch warns that the final track of Tuesday’s storm could still change.
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a winter weather advisory starting at 6 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31 and continuing through 6 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2. The advisory forecasts a “long duration winter storm” for central and southern Iowa.
According to the advisory, snow will develop Monday and last into Tuesday evening, with the bulk of the accumulation occuring late Monday and early Tuesday.
The advisory cautions that “some uncertainity remains with the storm track of a second storm on Tuesday” and that snow accumulations may change.
The weather service’s Ames forecast predicts snow accumulations of a total of 3-7 inches of snow for the Ames area. Freezing drizzle is possible Sunday night into Monday morning.
The advisory also warns that blowing and drifting snow will be possible Tuesday into Wednesday with north winds at 20-30 mph.
The city of Ames snow ordinance takes effect after 2 inches of snow falls on city streets. An official announcement will be posted to iowastatedaily.net if the city activates the snow ordinance.
