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Extreme Fire Weather Concerns; Severe Thunderstorms from the Plains to Mississippi Valley

Extremely critical fire weather concerns for portions of the southern High Plans as strong wind and very dry conditions could result in rapid spread of any fires. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms are expected once again across areas of the Central and Southern Plains, then spreading in the Mississippi Valley regions on Monday. Damaging winds, very large hail and strong tornadoes are possible. Read More >

A wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain spread northeastward across the area during the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 23. The mixed precipitation changed to all freezing rain with ice accumulations of a glaze of ice to two tenths of an inch, mainly north of Highway 30. By late morning, temperatures warmed above freezing with the precipitation becoming all rain. Widespread rainfall amounts over three quarters of an inch were common, which resulted in some quick rises on area creeks, steams, and tributary rivers. As the system pulled away from the area late Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, strong northwest winds ushered colder air into the area and the rain changed back to a wintry mix and snow. Winds remained very strong through much of the day Sunday (Feb. 24), with peak wind gusts of 45 to 60 miles an hour common. Snowfall totals of a dusting up to a half inch were seen along and north of I 80. 

Snowfall accumulation just to the northwest of area caused significant blowing and drifting over Buchanan and Delware counties in Iowa closing roads and creating hazardous travel Sunday morning and afternoon.

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Watch, Warning, Advisory Map 11:55 pm 02/23/19
   
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