The first snowfall of the season already has caught motorists off-guard. Numerous, non-injury accidents have been reported along Interstate 80 this (Tuesday) morning, with vehicles sliding-off into the ditch.  As of 6-a.m.,  the Iowa Department of Transportation reported most roads in western and southwest Iowa to be partially covered with snow.

The Iowa Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to slow down, drive defensively, and to be aware of the changing road conditions. Trooper Vince Kurtz says the first snows always create headaches.

“When you’ve got so many people who don’t remember what it’s like to drive on snow and ice, there are always going to be crashes in that first snow. Law enforcement and emergency services always dread that first snow, because people have forgotten how to drive,” Kurtz says. He suggests you equip your vehicle with a winter survivor’s kit, and have the vehicle checked by a mechanic before dangerous winter conditions strike. Kurtz says there are several things that need to be checked to prep your car for winter.

He says they can check the tire tread, tire inflation, antifreeze, wiper blades, the battery condition. Kurtz says it’s good to get those things done ahead of time, so you aren’t left out in the cold.
And you can check the state road reports before heading out on any trip (www.511ia.org) or call 5-1-1 for road information.

(Radio Iowa)

AREA COUNTIES: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-TAYLOR-308 AM CST TUE NOV 11 2014

...ICY ROADS POSSIBLE FOR THE MORNING COMMUTE…

THE SNOW HAS ENDED ALTHOUGH THERE MAY STILL BE SOME FLURRIES THROUGH EARLY MORNING. MOST LOCATIONS HAD A HALF INCH OR LESS OF SNOW BUT A NORTHWEST WIND AT 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH WILL BE CONTINUING THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE DRIFTING SNOW AND ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ICY ROADS WILL LIKELY BE PREVALENT THROUGH THE MORNING COMMUTE. USE WINTER DRIVING RULES AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR THE MORNING COMMUTE…SLOW DOWN AND ALLOW EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF YOU.

DALLAS-MADISON-UNION-RINGGOLD-

…SNOW WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA THROUGH 7AM PRODUCING WINTER-

LIKE CONDITIONS…A BAND OF SNOW EXTENDING FROM ALLISON TO DES MOINES TO WINTERSET WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. WHILE SNOWFALL WITH THIS BAND WILL BE LESS THAN A HALF INCH…A NORTHWEST WIND AT 20 TO 30 MPH WILL PRODUCE SOME DRIFTING ACROSS ROADWAYS WHICH WILL MAKE FOR ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION…VISIBILITY MAY DROP TO AROUND A MILE AT TIMES IN BLOWING SNOW. THE ICY ROAD CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST THROUGH THE MORNING COMMUTE SO USE WINTER DRIVING RULES AND SLOW DOWN…ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION AND LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU.

AREA COUNTIES: SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS-ADAIR-ADAMS-TAYLOR-MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-PAGE-

…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY.

* WINDS…NORTH TO NORTHWEST AT 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH.

* IMPACTS…ANY LOOSE OUTDOOR OBJECTS MAY BE BLOWN AROUND. USE CAUTION WHEN DRIVING AS IT MAY BE DIFFICULT WITH THE GUSTY WINDS…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH-PROFILE VEHICLES AND IN AREAS WHERE ROADS MAY BE SLICK DUE TO THE POTENTIAL PRECIPITATION. VISIBILITIES MAY BE BRIEFLY REDUCED AT TIMES DUE TO PERIODS OF LIGHT SNOWFALL OVERNIGHT.