Winter Storm Warning 5, NWS Des Moines, IA

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
307 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong winds remain through the rest of the afternoon into the
  evening, slowly decreasing through tonight.

- Light snow showers with the strong winds will lead to
  continued periods of reduced visibilities and even white out
  conditions into the early evening, especially over northern
  Iowa.

- Mild and mostly dry through the weekend into early next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 304 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

A strong and dynamic low pressure system continues to impact the
Midwest today, with the first front out of Iowa and now into eastern
Illinois, while the secondary front continues to track across Iowa
that has brought with and behind it areas of snow showers mainly
over parts of northern into portions of north-central Iowa this
afternoon. The most notable aspect with this system is the very
strong winds that have overspread the greater majority of Iowa as of
this afternoon, with widespread sustained 30-35 mph winds and gusts
upwards of 45-50 mph with isolated 55 to even 60 mph gusts at times
over northern to central Iowa. These higher end gusts may continue
to occur on an isolated basis yet this afternoon, though generally
expected to remain in the 40-50 mph range into the evening before
gradually decreasing from west to east but remaining breezy.
Regarding the snow, though amounts have been very minimal so far,
the strong winds have been lowering visbilities quite significantly
over northern and especially northwestern Iowa, with values down to
a mile or less than have led to whiteout conditions at times. Roads
have been deemed impassable across portions of northwest Iowa per
the Department of Transportation, which extends into Estherville and
Emmetsburg likely due to these conditions. A Winter Weather Advisory
was issued for the top two tiers of the DMX CWA that highlights the
expected hazardous travel due to these conditions, which will remain
in effect until 9pm until conditions improve. Further south and east
into central Iowa, a band of more isolated light snow from Grundy
County down to Union/Decatur counties, paired with these higher
gusts so far have led to visibilities down to 3-4 miles generally
with a few brief periods of 1 mile values. As this band gradually
moves southeast across the rest of the state into the early evening,
visibility drops may continue to occur at times with the light snow
and strong winds, leading to periods of hazardous travel. An SPS has
been issued for these areas to highlight these conditions. Close
monitoring of conditions and limiting travel would be ideal
until the winds decrease later this evening. The Wind Advisories
will remain in effect west of I-35 until 9pm tonight, and at
midnight east of I-35.

Temperatures will continue to decrease this evening and especially
overnight as clouds depart and winds remain breezy out of the
northwest, with overnight lows expected to fall into the single
digits north and in the teens south. Friday is expected to be dry
with low level southwest flow increasing into Iowa, bringing
temperatures back up to more mild values in the upper 20s northeast
to upper 30s southwest. By Saturday morning, a frontal boundary in
relation to a mid-level trough in the Upper Midwest to Canada per
guidance looks to drop into northern Iowa, though moisture
availability looks quite limited so expecting dry conditions to
remain. As the front quickly departs eastward later in the day,
another shot of colder air will dive southeast into Iowa as surface
high pressure moves in the region. Temperatures will be quite chilly
again, especially across the northeast half of the state as lows are
expected to fall in the upper single digits to teens, while
southwest Iowa will be in the 20s. Dry conditions will remain Sunday
with the high pressure sliding across Iowa.

Long range guidance indicates large scale ridging to take over for
much of the CONUS, with generally dry and warmer weather expected
through midweek, including the Christmas holiday. Current forecast
has temperatures in the 40s and even low 50s, which include
Christmas Eve/Christmas as the thermal ridge settles over the
region. There is some indication of a few weak waves in the larger
scale flow hinting at some coverage into Iowa per GFS, though the
Euro keeps the area dry until later in the week, so certainly some
details to keep a casual eye on but not seeing any strong signal for
impactful weather through the holiday outside of the above normal
temperatures forecast.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1148 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

Gusty winds will continue to spread across the state into the
afternoon, with several locations reporting gusting values up
to 40-45 knots with some isolated higher values northwest.
Similar winds are expected to continue over the next several
hours, before gradually decreasing through the evening hours
from west to east. Otherwise, snow showers are expected to move
in this afternoon, with highest confidence expected across the
northern terminals yet, though still possible further south at
KDSM and KOTM. Snow showers with reduced visibilities could lead
to reduced vsbys at times. Low ceilings will lead to continued
MVFR and localized IFR conditions before gradually improving
tonight and especially into Friday, along with decreasing but
still breezy winds.

&&

.DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Wind Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for IAZ004>006-015-
016-023>025-033>036-044>048-057>060-070>073-081>083-092>094.
Winter Weather Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for
IAZ004>007-015>017.
Wind Advisory until midnight CST tonight for IAZ007-017-
026>028-037>039-049-050-061-062-074-075-084>086-095>097.

&&

DISCUSSION...Bury
AVIATION...Bury

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
238 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

IAZ023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-081>086-092>097-192045-
Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Butler-Bremer-Sac-Calhoun-
Webster-Hamilton-Hardin-Grundy-Black Hawk-Crawford-Carroll-Greene-
Boone-Story-Marshall-Tama-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-
Poweshiek-Cass-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-Mahaska-Adams-Union-
Clarke-Lucas-Monroe-Wapello-Taylor-Ringgold-Decatur-Wayne-
Appanoose-Davis-
238 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

A Wind Advisory is in effect for the area. Please refer to the
National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for
further details.

Scattered snow showers, falling temperatures and strong winds may
lead to slick roads and hazardous travel.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

IAZ004>007-015>017-192045-
Emmet-Kossuth-Winnebago-Worth-Palo Alto-Hancock-Cerro Gordo-
238 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight

A Wind Advisory is in effect for the area. Please refer to the
National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines for
further details.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the area. Please refer
to the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/desmoines
for further details.

Scattered snow showers, falling temperatures and strong winds may
lead to slick roads and hazardous travel. Whiteout conditions
possible at times from snowfall.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
221 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

IAZ023>026-033>037-044>049-057>061-071>074-190000-
Pocahontas-Humboldt-Wright-Franklin-Sac-Calhoun-Webster-Hamilton-
Hardin-Crawford-Carroll-Greene-Boone-Story-Marshall-Audubon-
Guthrie-Dallas-Polk-Jasper-Adair-Madison-Warren-Marion-
Including the cities of Pocahontas, Laurens, Rolfe, Fonda,
Gilmore City, Humboldt, Eagle Grove, Clarion, Belmond, Hampton,
Sac City, Lake View, Odebolt, Wall Lake, Schaller, Early,
Rockwell City, Manson, Lake City, Pomeroy, Fort Dodge,
Webster City, Iowa Falls, Eldora, Ackley, Denison, Carroll,
Jefferson, Boone, Ames, Marshalltown, Audubon, Exira,
Guthrie Center, Panora, Bayard, Casey, Perry, Waukee, Adel,
Des Moines, Newton, Greenfield, Stuart, Adair, Fontanelle,
Winterset, Earlham, Indianola, Norwalk, Carlisle, Pella,
and Knoxville
221 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

...Quick Visibility Reductions with Intense Snow Showers...

WHAT...Intense snow showers will quickly reduced visibility. Brief
periods of whiteout conditions are possible at times. Winds may
gust over 45-50 mph at times as well. Snow amounts will be
minimal.

WHERE...Portions of north central to central Iowa including
portions of I-35 and I-80.

WHEN...Until 6pm.

IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions and slower than normal commute
times due to periods of whiteout conditions are possible given the
strong winds with falling snow.

PREPAREDNESS AND PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS...Motorists should be careful
and prepare for quick changes in visibility and road conditions in a
short distance as snow showers move in and out of an area.

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
305 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0255 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 E Boone               42.05N 93.85W
12/18/2025  E58 MPH          Boone              IA   AWOS

            Boone AWOS sus 37 gust 58 mph.

&&