The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for Iowa for this evening and wind chill advisories through Wednesday morning. Iowa Department of Transportation spokesperson, Dena Gray-Fisher says road conditions are not good in parts of the state. She says the primary problems are in north-central Iowa, and later tonight it will be in northeast Iowa.
Gray-Fisher says the conditions get even worse as you head north, and that’s prompted Minnesota officials to close part of the interstate highway leading to Iowa. Gray-Fisher says I-35 is closed as you enter the border of Minnesota from Iowa and is closed all the way north to Owatonna. Gray-Fisher says that section of I-35 through Minnesota will remain closed until further notice.
When a road is closed in Minnesota it is illegal to travel in that area. She advises you to postpone your plans if you were going to travel that way. Gray-Fisher says conditions aren’t that great in northern Iowa either, and Northwood is about the last opportunity you have to get off the interstate. Gray-Fisher says you should plan for the unexpected if you are traveling in these type of conditions.
She says you should be sure to have a winter survival kit in your vehicle so you are ready in case you get stranded. Gray-Fisher also says you should never walk away from your vehicle in these type of conditions where there are low wind chills. Road condition information is available on the internet by visiting the DOT’s road conditions website or by dialing 5-1-1.