OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The National Weather Service says there’s an elevated flood risk along the eastern Missouri River basin this spring. That’s because the soil remains wet and significant snow is on the ground in North Dakota and South Dakota. Communities along the lower Missouri River already were bracing for the prospect of more flooding this spring because many of their levees remain in poor shape after last year’s massive flooding.

FILE – This March 18, 2019, file photo, taken by the South Dakota Civil Air Patrol and provided by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shows flooding along the Missouri River in rural Iowa north of Omaha, Neb. (Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management via AP, File)

Nearly everywhere that flooded last year in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri is at some risk to flood again because of the extensive damage to levees.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Schools, businesses and organizations remain closed or opening late this (Thursday) morning, because of the arctic cold front that’s descended upon eastern Nebraska and most of Iowa. The National Weather Service says temperatures will be about 10-20 degrees below average in the northern and central Plains. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero were expected in some spots.

The extreme cold could keep both states in a deep chill Friday as well. The weather service also warns of icy roadways and sidewalks because of the rapidly falling temperatures overnight. Surfaces that look wet may be icy.

**Wind Chill Advisory in effect this morning**

Today: Mostly sunny. High 12. NW @ 15-30. Wind chill values as low as -30.

Tonight: Fair to Partly cloudy. Low -4. SE @ 5-10.  Wind chill as low as -15.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy. High 27. S @ 10-20.

Sat./Sun.: P/Cldy to Cldy. Highs around 40 both days.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 38. Our Low this morning (as of 5-a.m.) was -6. We received .3″ snowfall overnight. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 36 and the Low was 4. The record High for February 13th in Atlantic, was 63 in 1934. The Record Low was -30 in 1905.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY remains in effect for the entire KJAN listening area this morning. The ADVISORY is in effect until Noon for: Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Monona-Harrison- Union-Taylor and Ringgold Counties; and until 10-a.m. for Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page Counties.

* WHAT…Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero.

* IMPACTS…The bitter cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

The National Weather Service has extended the coverage area for a WIND CHILL ADVISORY to include the entire KJAN listening area. The WIND CHILL ADVISORY remains in effect from 12-a.m. until Noon Thursday, for Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor and Ringgold Counties, and from 10-p.m. tonight until 9-a.m. Thursday, for Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page Counties.

Temperatures will plummet and it is possible that wet or slushy roads could flash freeze, creating icy spots on roadways Wednesday evening. Wind Chills as low as -20 to -30 can be expected overnight tonight into mid-day Thursday. The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Winter Weather & Wind Chill Advisories are in effect for those counties along and north of Highway 30. (See https://www.weather.gov/dmx/) for details.

(Radio Iowa) — The National Weather Service is predicting a polar plunge for temperatures later today (Wednesday). Meteorologist Cory Martin says it’ll be a big swing by the time you are heading home from work. “We’re going to see a strong cold front move through the state, probably during the afternoon and evening hours,” Martin says. “So the day is probably going to start out not too bad — but then when the front comes through we’re going to see temperatures dropping very quickly — with brisk northwest winds.”

Those brisk winds are really going to have an impact. “Our windchill temperatures overnight Wednesday will possibly be 20 to 30 below zero by the time you wake up Thursday morning,” he says. Martin says we shouldn’t have to deal with the extreme cold for very long. “By Friday we should start to see a steady rebound, and by the time we get into the weekend we’re looking at high temperatures across the area back in the 30’s and 40s,” according to Martin.

He says these types of quick cold fronts happen this time of year and it could bring some issues for people who have to be on the road. “It’s typical for this time of year, just rolling though. We may see some light snow with it as well that could lead to some areas of slick travel and reduced visibility — especially given how fast the temperatures are looking to fall as the front moves through,” Martin says. “So, that is something to keep in mind as well if you have travel plans over the second half of the day on Wednesday.”

He advises you to keep up with the latest weather forecasts and road conditions if you plan on being out.

Today: Increasingly cloudy w/a chance of rain this afternoon. High 40. S winds @ 10-20 this morning shifting to the NW this afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly Cloudy w/light snow or flurries (<.5″ expected). Low -5. NW @ 20-35 mph. **Wind Chill Advisory from 12-a.m. until Noon Thursday**

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. High 12. NW @ 15-30. Wind Chill around -25.

Friday: P/Cldy & breezy. High 23.

Saturday: P/Cldy. High 35.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 39. Our Low was 21. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 24 and the Low was 1. The record High for February 12th in Atlantic, was 72 in 1990. The Record Low was -24 in 1986 & 1988.

328 AM CST Wed Feb 12 2020

…Blowing Snow and Dangerous Cold Ahead…

A strong Arctic cold front will pass through the state this afternoon and evening. Strong northwest winds and light snow immediately behind the front may lead to areas of blowing snow over northern Iowa, including the potential for near-blizzard conditions in northwest Iowa where recent snowfall has occurred. Rapidly falling temperatures will also accompany the front, which could lead to a flash freeze if local roads are wet or slushy.

Bitter cold temperatures and breezy winds combine to drop wind chill values to dangerously cold levels late Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

Area Counties: Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold…WIND CHILL ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT ON THURSDAY FROM 12-A.M UNTIL NOON.

* WHAT…Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 30 below zero.

* IMPACTS…The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Temperatures will plummet and it is possible that wet or slushy roads could flash freeze, creating icy spots on roadways Wednesday evening.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Today: Mostly sunny. High 39. W @ 10.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 25. SW @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: Mo. Cldy w/light rain in the afternoon changing to light snow, late. High 37. N @ 10-20.

Thursday: Mo. Sunny & cold. High 12.

Friday: P/Cldy. High 23.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 40. Our Low was 12. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 27 and the Low was 22. The record High for February 11th in Atlantic, was 64 in 1951 & 1999. The Record Low was -26 in 1899.

(Radio Iowa) — The National Weather Service is set to release its first spring flood forecast later this week — and southwest Iowa officials are worried there will be more flooding this spring. Forecasters already say the amount of snow pack in the eastern Dakotas is a concern. Fremont County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Crecelius expects more flooding in his area. “It all goes into the Missouri River up there and it, ultimately, comes down here,” he says.

Crecelius says the recovery from LAST spring’s historic flooding is still underway. “There’s still people in need f things. I’ve still got people coming in once in a while looking for stuff,” he says. “We’ve got a number of people displaced that are no longer in our county.”

Soil in the Missouri River Basin is saturated and cannot handle more rain or snow melt according to the National Weather Service — putting the region at higher risk of
flooding. Forecasters say tributaries to the Missouri River are likely to flood in western Iowa.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katie Peikes)