(Des Moines, IA) -- The National Weather Service all of Iowa will be under a Winter Weather Watch from Wednesday night thru Friday. Forecasters say blizzard conditions and extreme cold will be possible in central Iowa, including the Des Moines and Ames areas Thursday thru Friday night. Several Western Iowa counties will be under a wind chill warning from 6 p.m. Wednesday thru 12 p.m. Saturday.
Forecasters say confidence continues to increase in significant impacts, including possible blizzard conditions and treacherous travel Thursday and Friday in parts of Iowa.
Conditions are expected to degrade through the day Thursday as NW winds increase and the cold settles in, carrying into and through Friday.
Snow is expected to taper off Friday, but strong winds will cause significant blowing snow and the potential for blizzard conditions and treacherous travel.
Dangerous wind chills -20 to -40 are expected Thursday into Saturday.
The NWS is strongly advising drivers to move travel plans away from Thursday or Friday if possible.