(Undated)– It’s officially winter and the weather is certainly living up to it. A winter storm warning is in effect until noon Thursday pretty much along and to the east of Highway 4 through south central Minnesota and north central Iowa, with a winter weather advisory in effect along and to the west of that, including the Iowa Great Lakes, until Noon Thursday. At that point, a blizzard warning will go into effect for the ENTIRE region. For areas just to the east and northeast of the Iowa Great Lakes it will be in effect until 6:00 am Saturday. To the west, including the Iowa Great Lakes, the blizzard warning goes until 6:00 pm Friday.
Forecasters say what’s left of the snowfall will end completely by later this (Wed.) evening, with 1-3 inches in the Iowa Great Lakes and slightly heavier amounts just to the east and northeast. They say the biggest thing, however, will be a strong north wind that will kick in after midnight tonight (Wed.) with gusts to 40 mph likely Thursday and Friday, causing considerable blowing and drifting snow with whiteout or near whiteout conditions possible.
The strong wind, combined with the cold air temperatures, will create dangerous wind chills throughout the region that at times will approach 45 below. Officials say those conditions could be life threatening for anyone who would happen to get stranded. Those with holiday travel plans over the next several days are being encouraged to change them.
A complete list of weather-related announcements can be found under the weather tab here at Explore Okoboji-dot-com.
