DES MOINES, Iowa - March will come in more like a Polar bear than a lion this year with near record cold temps and a chance of snow.
Light snow is expected across the northern half of Iowa on Friday into Friday evening. Some light accumulating snow will be possible in these areas, mainly along and north of Highway 30. Across central and southern Iowa, very light snow or flurries will also be possible, however the chances for accumulating snowfall is much less.
Then come the cold temperatures Saturday night and Sunday night, feeling more like January than March, with strong wind gusts.
The combination of very cold temperatures and wind will produce bitter cold wind chills both Saturday night and Sunday night across much of Iowa. Both nights will see values drop to between 20 to 35 below zero across the area. This can lead to frost bite within a very short time to exposed skin.
That's when we may set new cold temperature records.
The National Weather Service says the January-like cold weather will likely continue at least the first week of March, maybe longer.