Freezing rain will lead to difficult travel Saturday in eastern Iowa

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Iowa’s News Now) — Ice Storm Warnings have been expanded across most of eastern Iowa. Accumulations of a tenth to a third of an inch of ice are expected due to persistent freezing rain on Saturday. Conditions will improve from south to north as the day goes on.

BOTTOM LINE: If you don’t have to travel, stay home. If you must drive, take it slow, stick to main roads, and take an emergency kit with you.

As of Saturday morning, ice is starting to coat… well, pretty much everything across eastern Iowa. Any untreated streets and sidewalks are covered in ice due to freezing rain and sleet.

SATURDAY MORNING

• Freezing rain/sleet will continue to spread north
• Any untreated roads will be very difficult, if not impossible, to navigate
• Gusty winds may lead to sporadic power outages, tree damage due to ice buildup
• Temperatures will start to warm above freezing south of I-80 in mid-morning hours
• Conditions begin to improve south of I-80 between 10 am to noon

SATURDAY MIDDAY

• Changeover to rain begins near Highway 30 between noon to 2 pm
• Road conditions gradually improve as temperatures rise above freezing
• Moderate freezing rain continues to the north

SATURDAY EVENING

• Changeover to rain begins near Highway 20 between 3 to 5 pm
• Road conditions gradually improve as temperatures rise above freezing
• Freezing rain persists in far north until 10 pm to midnight

Ice will build up on anything below freezing: untreated roads, sidewalks, cars, windows, mailboxes, signs, etc. Be mindful when walking outside and take it slow – walk like a penguin! Watch for any falling ice once melting begins as well.

Thankfully, Sunday will be quiet and temperatures will be above freezing in the afternoon.