Dangerous Ice Storm Draws the Weather Channel to Cedar Rapids

We might be just about a week away from the start of winter, but this blast of bitter cold is a sign that winter is pretty much here.

An ice warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for midnight December 13th through midday December 14th for Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Grundy, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Marshall, Poweshiek, and Tama counties.

There is also a winter weather travel advisory that will be in place from 4:00 PM tonight (December 13th) to noon tomorrow (December 14th).

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Forecast So Bad That the Weather Channel Meteorologists are Here

Earlier this morning Jacqui Jeras arrived in Cedar Rapids, wrapped up warmly to report on the incoming ice storm that will hit Linn County.

This Midwest native was reporting live right along the Cedar River in temperatures feeling like they were below zero with the wind chill.

While it's cool to see a big name from a national outlet out here, I sure wish it was for a different circumstance!

Incoming Ice Storm Forecast for December 13th through December 14th

According to our weather partners at KCRG, this storm (on December 13th) is expected to hit us here in Eastern Iowa sometime this evening. We will get with a wintry mix overnight, leading to the perfect conditions for an ice storm.

The forecast is calling for freezing rain or drizzle at first in areas like Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Independence, Tama, Vinton, and Iowa City. These conditions are looking to stretch into more western Iowa counties and won't be moving far up north nor south.

This freezing rain and accumulation will make travel overnight into midday on Saturday dangerous, according to the forecast.

Travel conditions are described as "hazardous if not impossible."

Slick roads are very likely, even if the temperature does warm up like they are predicted to overnight.

What Area in Eastern Iowa Will Get the Worst of this Ice Storm?

Our weather partners are predicting that the worst road conditions will be located from Highway 20 to Highway 30. The forecast is calling for a quarter inch of ice to develop between the evening of December 13th to midday on December 14th.

As is the nature of weather, these conditions and forecast are subject to change. We will keep you updated as more details come out regarding this ice storm.

The Weather Channel reports that power outages and downed trees are likely to meet anyone traveling this evening.

Stay safe and stay warm!

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