A cold weather warning is in effect from the evening of Saturday, Dec. 13, through the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 17, after a winter storm hit a large swath of the state and partially closed Interstate 80. Temperatures are expected to drop below -10 degrees after the snowfall.
As the storm began to dissipate by early afternoon, snowfall totals reached more than half a foot in some areas across the state.
Des Moines police responded to more than 40 crashes by 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, and asked drivers not to drive unless necessary.
“As road crews continue to clear roads, vehicles have packed snow into ice, creating very slick ways to control intersections and challenges on hilly streets,” the department said in a statement. “Refreezing occurs when temperatures drop to dangerously low levels, creating slick roads in wet areas.”
Snow plows are scheduled to hit residential Des Moines streets on Saturday, December 13, around 3 p.m. Police warned residents not to park on snowy streets and were only allowed to park on the odd side of the street on Sunday.
Snow-covered roads are expected to remain slippery and difficult overnight, with the weather service advising caution.
In the Des Moines area, wind chill values are expected to drop to -15 degrees Saturday night. The National Weather Service warns that in temperatures this cold, frostbite can occur within minutes.
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Counties affected by the winter storm include Pocahontas, Sac, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello and Davis.
Where does it snow the most in Iowa?
Southern and eastern Iowa bore the brunt of the winter storm, with some areas receiving up to six inches of snow on Saturday. Here are Iowa’s highest totals to date:
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Aaron Ramsey shovels snow from his driveway as snow falls in the Des Moines metro area on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
How much snow did it snow in Des Moines?
Des Moines International Airport reported 3.7 inches of snow as of noon Saturday. Norwalk, south of Des Moines, reported 3.8 inches of snow as of 10:30 a.m. Clive reported 2.7 inches of snow as of 10 a.m.
Another round of snow blanketed Iowa on Saturday morning. Take a look at the latest totals.
How much snow does it snow in Iowa City?
Iowa City reported 4.5 inches of snow at 12:26 p.m.
Roads across the state are covered in snow
By 11 a.m. Saturday, many highways and interstates in central Iowa were completely covered in snow, along with “dangerous whiteout conditions.” Not recommended for travel Follow I-80 from central Iowa to the Illinois borderreports the Department of Transportation.
“Visibility and road conditions are rapidly deteriorating, resulting in multiple crashes and lane closures,” the Department of Transportation said in a social media post.
Interstate 80 closed in both directions in eastern Iowa
Shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday, the Iowa Department of Transportation closed a 44-mile span of Interstate 80 in both directions in eastern Iowa from the I-380 interchange (Exit 240) in Coralville to Exit 284 in Wolcott, where the Iowa 80 Truck Stop is located. Department of Transportation officials said the road was “impassable” due to severe winter weather and “numerous” crashes. Sections of Interstate 80 will remain closed until weather conditions improve.
At around 12:30 noon on December 13, the Iowa State Patrol posted on social media that Interstate 80 eastbound and westbound was closed in both directions east of West Branch near the Cedar River Bridge.
The closure was due to several crashes and vehicles in the ditch, according to the State Patrol. The group said it would take several hours for the interstate to open again. Authorities encouraged vehicles to avoid the area to give first responders “space to assist” motorists and clear the scene.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the Department of Transportation issued a press release with more details about the closure.
All entrance ramps to I-80 are closed at every intersection between Exit 240 and Exit 284. Travelers near the area are advised to seek shelter rather than continue their route.
“Passengers already in the closed area will be allowed to exit,” the Department of Transportation said in a press release. “If a vehicle becomes trapped, emergency personnel will do their best to assist travelers to safety. However, due to conditions, emergency response may not be completed or be significantly delayed.”
The Department of Transportation said the decision to close the interstate represents a serious safety situation. Drivers should never attempt to enter a closed road or go around a barricade or gate.
For traveler information, please feel free to visit www.511ia.org, call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047.
(This article has been updated to include new information.)
This article originally appeared in the Des Moines Register: How much snow did Iowa fall during the recent snowstorm?