Winter Storm Warning Issued for Parts of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Through Friday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in La Crosse, WI, has issued a Winter Storm Warning effective through 9:00 AM CST Friday, February 20. This alert was issued as a band of moderate to heavy snow develops across the region, with snowfall rates expected to exceed 1 inch per hour at times.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts portions of north central and northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest and west central Wisconsin. Specific counties included in the alert are:

• Iowa: Howard, Winneshiek, Floyd, and Chickasaw.
• Minnesota: Houston.
• Wisconsin: La Crosse and Vernon.

The NWS indicates that the heaviest snow is forecast to fall in a relatively narrow band, with confidence in the highest amounts centered in far southwest Wisconsin and adjacent areas of northeast Iowa.

Expected Conditions

• Snow Accumulation: Additional snow accumulations between 5 and 7 inches are expected.
• Wind: Winds are forecast to gust as high as 40 mph.
• Snowfall Rates: Heavy snow may fall at rates exceeding 1 inch per hour, quickly leading to snow-covered and slippery roads.
• Impacts: Hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact the Friday morning commute.

What You Should Do

If you must travel, the National Weather Service advises keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Residents are encouraged to check local road conditions before departing:

• Iowa: Visit 511ia.org
• Minnesota: Visit 511mn.org
• Wisconsin: Visit 511wi.gov

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning is currently in effect and will remain active until 9:00 AM CST Friday. The snow is expected to last through the overnight hours, departing the region between sunrise and mid-morning on Friday.