The forecast for a storm that is expected to affect much of Iowa has intensified.
The National Weather Service in Des Moines says expected snow amounts on Sunday, Dec. 28, could reach up to an inch in central Iowa, 2 inches in Ames and Cedar Rapids and up to 4 inches along the Minnesota border, where high winds could bring blizzard conditions, including snow. A winter watch has been issued for that area.
At the same time, the weather service said there is less likelihood than previous forecasts that the snow will be preceded by freezing rain, although sleet is possible.
The snow is expected to start after 6 am, peak between noon and 8 pm and end late Sunday, the weather service said. It will be accompanied by winds up to 35 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. The agency warned that across the state, blowing snow can make travel dangerous, noting that it is the wind, not heavy snow, that creates a blizzard.
Temperatures are expected to drop throughout Sunday, starting at a high of 44 degrees and dropping to a low of 10 in central Iowa. Windchill will make it like -8, the weather service said.
More: Chill out: an Arctic blast on the way to the new year
The heaviest snow is expected in far northeast Iowa, with Decorah forecast to get 2-4 inches while Sheldon, Estherville and Mason City can expect 1-4 inches.
It is possible that areas further south, including Iowa City, may get a trace of snow or none, depending on how the storm develops.
Whiteout conditions expected in northern Iowa in Sunday’s snowstorm.
More snow and wind bring lower temperatures
The weather service said the sun should return on Monday, but with a high of 17 and continued wind through the evening. The low is expected to be a blustery 8 degrees.
Tuesday could bring a bit of a warmup, with a high of 33 and a low of 20 in the evening as clouds move in.
Wednesday’s forecast calls for cloudy skies with a high near 31 and a low of 7, and New Year’s Day will be sunnier but cooler, with a high of 17 and a low around 5.
Further east, conditions could be more extreme as the week begins, with a full-blown blizzard possible in the Great Lakes region, the weather service said.
Polk County to activate extreme temperature plan
In response to Sunday’s forecast, Polk County Emergency Management said it will activate its extreme temperature plan at 4 pm Sunday. The county activates the plan when temperatures reach certain thresholds: 10 degrees with a wind chill for three or more days, 5 degrees with a wind chill for two or more days or 0 degrees or less with a wind chill for at least one day.
The plan includes a weather amnesty at Central Iowa Shelter and Services, temporarily lifting limitations on shelter nights; the opening of warming centers around the metro; and free transportation to the centers via the DART bus service.
Where are warming shelters in Des Moines and central Iowa?
Warming centers in Des Moines include:
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Des Moines Scott-Four Mile Community Recreation Center, 3711 Easton Blvd.
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Southern Library, 1111 Porter Ave.
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Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave.
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Forest Avenue Library, 1326 Forest Ave.
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Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave.
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Polk County Health Department, 1907 Carpenter Ave.
A complete list of available warming centers can be found on the Polk County website, polkcountyiowa.gov. The county recommends calling ahead to check availability. See which hubs are along DART bus routes on the DART website, rodedart.com.
Kyle Werner is the Breaking News & Public Safety Reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com
This article originally appeared on the Des Moines Register: Some parts of Iowa could see blizzard conditions, weather service says