DES MOINES, Iowa – A winter storm has settled in across Iowa, bringing heavy snow and bitter cold to parts of the state. This will make for tough travel for almost all day Wednesday into Thursday morning.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for most of the state until midnight. This is where snow totals are expected to be highest, generally in the 4-7″ range. Less snow is expected in northern and northwestern Iowa, where a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect.

Snow will continue pretty much all day Wednesday. Snowfall will be heaviest in the morning and afternoon hours, with the snow becoming lighter as the afternoon goes on. By this evening, flurries should wrap up.

Travel will therefore be most difficult in the morning and afternoon hours and it will be most difficult to keep roads clear. Slick conditions persist into the evening and overnight hours but the snow won’t be as heavy, meaning crews will have a better chance to clear roads up. Visibility will also improve.

As the snow moves out, brutally cold air moves in. Temperatures will only get to the mid-teens with wind chills mostly staying below zero. Overnight lows fall below zero, sending wind chills near -20°.

Several more snow chances are ahead for the rest of the week and even into next week. A brief weather system could bring some light snow Friday, followed by another system Saturday that could drop at least a couple inches. Monday brings more snow chances to the forecast.