Snow showers are expected Saturday and overnight into Sunday, but accumulations should stay below an inch in central Iowa. Interactive radar | Weather Alerts By Sunday, skies will dry out again. We'll start the day with cloud cover, then some breaks from the sun are possible at lunchtime and into the afternoon. The main focus of our forecast remains a strong system heading into the Midwest on Monday and Tuesday. The upper level wave expected to form this system is now emerging from the ocean over the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Snow is likely in far northwestern Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota late Sunday night into Monday morning, but the rest of the state will fall dry until later in the afternoon. That's when a rain/snow mix moves into Iowa from the southwest, turns to snow only during the evening, and spreads across much of the state through Monday night into Tuesday morning. Most of the snow will fall in southern Iowa, where 4-6 inches of snow is currently expected. The Des Moines area is looking at 2-4 inches of snow according to this forecast, with smaller amounts in northern Iowa. Due to the potential for heavy snowfall, the winter will see a storm watch issued for far western Iowa and most of southern Iowa from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon. Interactive Radar | Weather Alerts: Tips to keep your home safe and warm during cold weather When the snow starts falling Monday evening, temperatures will initially be in the mid 30s, then drop to near freezing and stay around 32 degrees until Tuesday morning. This will likely mean wetter snow, especially across the South. This storm may lead to slippery conditions on the roads on Monday and Tuesday. As the snow ends on Tuesday, the winds will become stronger. North winds will reach 20 mph Tuesday afternoon, with gusts up to 40 mph. This is followed by the possibility of snow late Wednesday night/Thursday morning, and then next weekend. Temperatures also look cooler by the end of next week. WATCH: How to prepare for winter weather hazards Iowa Weather Forecast Sunday: Mostly cloudy morning. Some sun is possible during the afternoon. Height 34F. Winds are westerly, 5 to 10 knots. Wind speeds reach 15 mph. Sunday night: cloudy skies. Low 28 Fahrenheit. Winds are easterly at a speed of 10 to 15 knots per hour. Monday: Cloudy skies. A rain/snow mix arrives during the afternoon, then changes to all snow. Height 37 F. Winds southeast at 10 to 15 knots. Wind speeds reach 25 mph. Monday Night: Snow likely overnight. Heaviest in southern Iowa. Low 29 Fahrenheit. Winds east at 10 to 15 mph. Tuesday: Snow in the morning, then cloudy and windy. Temperatures are roughly steady in the low to mid 30s. North winds 20 to 25 mph, gusting up to 40 mph. Total snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is expected in the Des Moines area. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low temperature 18°F. Winds northwest at 15 to 20 mph.
Snow showers are expected to fall Saturday overnight into Sunday, but accumulations should stay below an inch in central Iowa.
Interactive Radar | Weather alerts
By Sunday, the skies will dry again. We'll start the day with cloud cover, then some breaks from the sun are possible at lunchtime and into the afternoon.
The main focus of our forecast remains a strong system heading into the Midwest on Monday and Tuesday. The upper level wave expected to form this system is now emerging from the ocean over the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
Snow is likely in far northwest Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota late Sunday night into Monday morning, but the rest of the state will be dry until later in the afternoon.
That's when a rain/snow mix moves into Iowa from the southwest, turns to snow only during the evening, and spreads across much of the state through Monday night into Tuesday morning. Most of the snow will fall in southern Iowa, where 4-6 inches of snow is currently expected. The Des Moines area is looking at 2-4 inches of fall as of this forecast, with smaller amounts in northern Iowa.
Due to the potential for heavy snow, a winter storm warning has been issued for far western Iowa and much of southern Iowa from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.
Closings | Interactive Radar | Weather alerts
Watch: Tips to keep your home safe and warm during cold weather
When the snow begins to fall Monday evening, temperatures will initially be in the mid 30s, then drop to near freezing and stay at around 32 degrees until Tuesday morning. This will likely mean wetter snow, especially in the south.
This storm could bring slippery conditions on the roads Monday and Tuesday.
As the snow ends on Tuesday, the winds will become stronger. North winds will reach 20 mph Tuesday afternoon, with gusts up to 40 mph.
There are other chances for snow late Wednesday night/Thursday morning, then next weekend. Temperatures also look cooler by the end of next week.
Watch: How to prepare for winter weather risks
Iowa weather forecast
Sunday: Mostly cloudy morning. Some sun is possible during the afternoon. Height 34F. Winds are westerly, 5 to 10 knots. It reaches speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.
Sunday night: cloudy skies. Low 28 Fahrenheit. Winds are easterly at a speed of 10 to 15 knots.
Monday: Cloudy skies. A rain/snow mix arrives during the afternoon, then changes to all snow. Height 37 F. Winds southeast at 10 to 15 knots. It reaches speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
Monday Night: Snow likely overnight. Heaviest in southern Iowa. Low 29 Fahrenheit. Winds are northeasterly at 10 to 15 knots.
Tuesday: Snow in the morning, then cloudy and windy. Temperatures are roughly steady in the low to mid 30s. North winds 20 to 25 mph, gusting up to 40 mph. Total snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is expected in the Des Moines area.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Low 18 Fahrenheit. Winds are northwesterly at 15 to 20 knots.
