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Forecast calls for freezing rain as many Iowa roads may become ice rinks

News, Weather

December 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Wind chill indices dipped as low as 20 below zero in parts of northern Iowa this (Thursday) morning, with air temperatures in many cities in the negative teens. National Weather Service meteorologist Cory Martin says this is likely the coldest air Iowans have endured since last January, and more scattered snow is on the way. “We’re expecting precipitation to spread over much of the state by late in the day tomorrow,” Martin says, “and temperatures will likely be cold enough to support freezing rain.” That freezing rain translates to black ice on roads and Martin says driving may quickly become hazardous.

“We’re looking at an icing of up to a 10th of an inch, maybe a few spots up to as much as two-tenths of an inch, which may cause some travel concerns,” Martin says. “As we go through Friday night into Saturday morning, we’re going to see temperatures continue to warm and actually go above freezing, which should eventually put an end to the icing concerns as we move over to just a straight liquid rain.”

The forecast calls for the precipitation to end later Saturday while Sunday should be dry with highs that are decent for December in Iowa in the 30s and 40s.