Snow finally hits state

It’s about a month late, but the first significant snowstorm has dropped a white blanket across a wide swath of Iowa — and it’s not over yet. Meteorologist Craig Cogil, at the National Weather Service office in Johnston, runs down the deepest of the heaviest snowfall is reported in Centerville with 12-to-13 inches. Other reports include: Albia, 10 inches; Bloomfield, 11-12; Ottumwa, 12; Leon, 10-12; Chariton, 10; Corydon, 11; and Mount Ayr with 7-10. Cogil says central Iowa wasn’t hit so bad.A Winter Storm Warning continues across the southern half of Iowa through tonight, while a Winter Storm Advisory is in effect from west central into northeast Iowa through tonight. The Appanoose County town of Centerville appears to have taken the worst of the snowstorm that started yesterday morning — and still isn’t finished. City Clerk Cynthia Cortesio says the assessment of 14-inches of snow is about right, at least in her front yard.Travel in and around the southern Iowa city is -not- recommended and city hall is closed as Centerville leaders don’t want people even attempting to get out. Cortesio says the deep snow has her stuck inside her own house, for now.She’s confident Centerville’s street crews -will- be able to tackle the mounds of snow, though she urges residents to be patient and -not- venture out until the plows pass, or they’ll just get stuck.