Farley's Weather Wisdom - Midwest

Farley's Weather Wisdom - Midwest Educator by day, weather enthusiast all other times!

Over the next few hours asouthwest-northeast oriented band of heavy snow should establish*tself as the circulation advan...
02/20/2026

Over the next few hours a
southwest-northeast oriented band of heavy snow should establish
itself as the circulation advances east. Snow rates could exceed 1 inch per hour at times.

2-18-2026 UpdateModel Madness Is Alive!!Today has been a day! Models have been shifting the main axis of snowfall more s...
02/19/2026

2-18-2026 Update
Model Madness Is Alive!!

Today has been a day! Models have been shifting the main axis of snowfall more south to more areas of central Iowa, leading the NWS US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa to issue a Winter Weather Advisory across more counties (see image below). As for timing and totals, rain/snow mix should begin across Iowa in the early evening hours and last through midnight and into the early hours of Friday. Many areas across the area should expect 2-6 inches of snowfall. I would not be surprised to see some areas with 6+ inches of snowfall based on current models. Unlike most of our snowfalls during January, this snow will be wet in nature, but with temperatures falling behind the snowfall will lead to slippery road conditions. These conditions could impact the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes. Temperatures will not make it above freezing across many areas in Iowa, especially in areas where snowfall amounts are higher. Updates in the morning!
Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

FROM: US National Weather Service Des Moines IowaLOCATION: Much of northern into central Iowa and south central Iowa WH...
01/17/2026

FROM: US National Weather Service Des Moines Iowa

LOCATION: Much of northern into central Iowa and south central Iowa

WHAT...Gusty winds with falling and blowing snow will quickly reduce visibility down to around or under a mile. Winds may gust over 40 mph at times as well. Snow amounts will be generally around an inch or less.

WHERE...Much of northern into central Iowa and south central Iowa.

WHEN...Now until 1 PM.

IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions and slower than normal commute times due to snow quickly covering roads and reducing visibility.

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.

As always...
Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

1-10-26 Morning UpdateQuick moving snow showers are moving across Iowa this morning. Quickly falling snow along with NW ...
01/10/2026

1-10-26 Morning Update

Quick moving snow showers are moving across Iowa this morning. Quickly falling snow along with NW winds becoming gusty would result in quickly reduced visibilities and slick roads, leading to hazardous travel. I do not expect much in the way of accumulations. More updates as needed.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

12/28/2025

Quick update....10:30 pm

Rapid weather changes on Sunday. Expect morning temperatures in the low to mid 40's around 6am and in the teens by 3pm. Wind guest will be between 40-50 pm with rain changing to mixed precipitation and then to snow. Blizzard warnings near the Minnesota border and winter weather advisory across much of northern Iowa. For central Iowa, I expect 1-2 inches at most in the way of snow, but most concern will be flash freezing of roads and blowing snow. More updates in the morning.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

12/13/2025

Midnight Update 12-13-2025

This week has brought days of me being under the weather which is why posts have not been frequent. Tomorrow's system will move across Iowa, from northwest to southeast as a fast moving clipper system rushes in a quick burst of snow, with amounts ranging from 2-4 inches being the common. In addition to the snowfall tomorrow, cold air will rush in with highs on Saturday and Sunday in the single digits. Lows will be well below 0. Next week brings a warm up compared to the weekend.

Update tomorrow morning.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

12/09/2025

Blizzard Criteria (NOAA/NWS):
-Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or higher
-Visibility reduced to ΒΌ mile or less
-Conditions lasting at least 3 hours
-Falling snow does not have to be present for a blizzard to be classified.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

12/09/2025

12-9-2025 Noon Update

Winter Storm Warnings continue to be posted across northern and central Iowa for the possiblity of a ground blizzard overnight. Most models (below is the HRRR which is updated each hour) are showing the possibilities of 50 to 60+ MPH wind gust. Gusts of this strength will certainly blow around snow on the ground, but there remains some uncertainty as to how "blowable" that snow will be after melting and crusting over of the the snow today. However, studies and past events have indicated that with high end gusts such as those forecast overnight, the snow age and crust can be overcome. Temps around freezing with wind gust of 50-60 mph and a snow that is blowable over 2 inches creates the chance for blizzard conditions and limited visibility. Blowing snow of this nature will cause roads to become dangerous and cause drifting of snow to occur, especially on west to east roads as the winds will be coming from the north-northwest. Needless to say, most of northern Iowa and central Iowa have plenty of snowpack to move around.

Snow chances will be around on Thursday (PM and overnight) and Saturday morning based on current models, but more time to watch.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

12-6-25 8:30 PM UpdateSnow fall will move across central Iowa over the next 3-4 hours. Areas in the red circle will see ...
12/07/2025

12-6-25 8:30 PM Update

Snow fall will move across central Iowa over the next 3-4 hours. Areas in the red circle will see snowfall rates of 1/2 inch to 1 inch per hour. Areas around Ames have already seen around 5 inches of accumulation.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

12-6-24 5PM UpdateSnowfall rates of over 1 in are possible across central Iowa over the next few hours. Snowfall totals...
12/06/2025

12-6-24 5PM Update

Snowfall rates of over 1 in are possible across central Iowa over the next few hours. Snowfall totals between 4-6 is still possible and even higher in some areas. Marshall and Story county are now under the winter storm warning. Roadways will be very treacherous. Check 511 for roadway updates.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.

-Farley

12-6-25 Morning UpdateSnowfall across Iowa is still expected later this afternoon and into the evening across much of ce...
12/06/2025

12-6-25 Morning Update
Snowfall across Iowa is still expected later this afternoon and into the evening across much of central and northern Iowa. At this time, central and northern areas of the state are under a winter storm warning, while other areas are under a winter weather advisory. Snowfall totals in the warning area should be on the range of 5-7 inches while other areas seeing 3-5 inches. More updates later this morning and afternoon.

Be Safe. Be Alert. Be Prepared.
-Farley

Address

State Center, IA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Farley's Weather Wisdom - Midwest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category