Snow showers and snow squalls will become more widespread this afternoon as a cold front arrives from northwest. This activity will move southeast by the afternoon before diminishing tonight.

The National Weather Service says the snow bands will produce brief but intense snow rates, which will reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less at times, and quickly cover roads creating hazardous travel conditions. Winds from the northwest commonly gusting between 35 to 50 mph will further reduce the visibility when the snow is falling. Be prepared today for rapidly changing driving conditions from normal to near whiteout conditions..

Polk County will be activating its "Extreme Temperature" plan. As part of the plan, warming centers will be opening Friday evening. A map of locations can be found here. DART will provide free rides to warming centers.

The Warming Place is also opening a shelter in Ames to help those in need stay warm this weekend. The Warming Place is located at the Ames First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Avenue in Ames. Enter the shelter on the north side of 6th Street. The shelter will be opening Friday night at 8:45 p.m. and remain open until Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.