Officials have reported several crashes on I-35 in the Des Moines, Iowa, area as the state was pounded by an early snow squall.
On the morning of Monday, October 19, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a snow squall warning for portions of central Iowa that remained in effect until shortly before 1 p.m.
As many as six inches of snow were reported in parts of central Iowa, and local outlets are reporting several crashes on I-35 and other interstates.
The snow is starting to wind down in central Iowa, but there have been multiple crashes on I-35 north of Des Moines and traffic is moving slow. #iawx pic.twitter.com/h5i15Lqz6c
— Rebecca Kopelman (@KopelmanWX) October 19, 2020
URGENT – the band of heavy snow moving thru the Des Moines metro has resulted in several accidents – including this one near I-35. #iawx pic.twitter.com/usJcZ6u7LV
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) October 19, 2020
Major traffic backups were also reported.
The snow squall moving through the Des Moines area has lead to spin outs and accidents on I-35. You can see how far traffic is backed up too. #IAwx pic.twitter.com/WbdaNjnYt4
— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) October 19, 2020
Snow has tapered off in Iowa for today but more may be on the way on Tuesday.
More snow possible on Tuesday, mainly across northern Iowa. Light rain possible elsewhere. #iawx pic.twitter.com/Euxp8t8pj2
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) October 19, 2020
The storm was serious enough that weather officials issued a snow squall alert to cell phones warning Iowa drivers to slow down for sudden white out conditions and icy roads.
