Snowstorm hits state

Flakes are already falling in many parts of the state — and they’ll likely keep falling much of the day. The first major snowstorm of the New Year is bearing down on the state and upper Iowa can expect the worst, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Johnson.While much of the state’s north-central and northeastern area is under a Winter Storm Warning and could get up to 7 inches of snow, Johnson says Iowa’s midsection is also in for it.The forecast says most of northwest, central and southeastern Iowa will see 2-to-5 inches of snow, while the southwestern area, between Council Bluffs and Lamoni, may get 1-to-3 inches. Johnson says this is really the first serious snow Iowa’s had since before Christmas.He says the most dangerous time for driving will likely be late this afternoon and evening as strong winds could create deep drifts and white-out conditions.