x
Breaking News
More () »

Des Moines sees more than 9" of snow Tuesday, the most reported in one day since 2009

For the latest forecast, visit WeAreIowa.com/Weather or text WEATHER to 515-457-1026.

For the latest weather forecast, visit WeAreIowa.com/Weather or download the We Are Iowa app. To view the Local 5 Interactive Radar, click here.

The Local 5 Weather team is providing live updates throughout the day Tuesday as snow piled up across Iowa.

This is our biggest snowstorm of the winter so far, with moderate-to-heavy snow reported for most of the state.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday as road conditions will remain poor even after the snow ends later tonight. 

Live Updates

10:20 p.m.

The storm has come to an end. Main roads should be clear by Wednesday morning but drive with caution in neighborhood areas. 

7:50 p.m.

More snow totals were reported just before 8:00 p.m.

Greenfield- 10"

Indianola- 9"

Winterset- 9"

Urbandale- 7"

7:42 p.m.

Many snow reports have now come in, with the highest numbers of 9 inches or more occurring in Altoona, Des Moines, and Newton. 

6:25 p.m.

Official snow total of 9.6" at the Des Moines International Airport, the city's highest daily total in over five years.

NOTE: This total was released after the 6 p.m. newscast aired.

Brandon Lawrence

5:16 p.m.

We Are Iowa's Most Accurate Forecast with Chief Meteorologist Brad Edwards

4:12 p.m.

Going into Tuesday evening, the heaviest snowfall will be in eastern Iowa with some precipitation such as snow, sleet and freezing rain in parts of southern Iowa. 

Central Iowa's precipitation will be lighter as the evening progresses. Some snow may still be visible as late as midnight. The colder air comes in after midnight.

—Brad Edwards

3:53 p.m.

6.5" of snow measured in West Des Moines

Brandon Lawrence

3:47 p.m.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced there may be some delays in COVID-19 testing due to weather conditions. 

Transporting samples from test sites to the State Hygienic Lab (SHL) has been canceled in some areas of the state where travel is not recommended. This includes TestIowa sites and other testing providers that process tests at the SHL. 

The IDPH said this means test results may be delayed, but results should still be delivered within 72 hours if no further delays occur. 

TestIowa sites in Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Waterloo have closed for the remainder of Tuesday. 

3:30 p.m.

Most flights at the Des Moines International Airport have been canceled or delayed, according to its online flight status portal.

Credit: WOI
Des Moines International Airport departures as of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020
Credit: WOI
Des Moines International Airport arrivals as of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020

3:28 p.m.

As expected, the roads are a mess out there. stay home if you can or make sure you have all-wheel drive if you are heading out anytime soon. 

I have seen some cars getting stuck in heavy snow. Some areas have seen more than 5". Totals are looking like 6-10" for most areas.

Brad Edwards

WATCH: I-235 road conditions in Des Moines during snowstorm

2:44 p.m.

West Des Moines up to 5" in measured snow.

Brandon Lawrence

2:36 p.m.

Facebook Live update from Meteorologist Brandon Lawrence

1:36 p.m.

4" of snow measured in West Des Moines.

Brandon Lawrence

1:18 p.m.

The latest snow reports: 

  • Van Meter — 3.8"
  • West Des Moines — 3.5" 
  • Beaverdale — 2.7
  • SSE Ankeny — 2.5" 
  • SE Clive — 2.5" 
  • Urbandale — 2.5" 
  • Waukee — 2.5" 
  • Johnston — 2.0"

Taylor Kanost

1:05 p.m.

Facebook Live update from Meteorologist Brandon Lawrence

12:39 p.m.

Roads are bad early this afternoon and going to get worse. My advice: get home and/or stay home the rest of today. 

Some icing is likely for the southern third of Iowa later today into this evening, too.

Brad Edwards

12:25 p.m.

2.5" of snow measured in West Des Moines.

Brandon Lawrence

11:45 a.m.

Snow reports so far:

  • Red Oak (Montgomery County) — 4.5"
  • Logan (Harrison County)— 3.5"
  • Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County) — 2.5"

11:19 a.m.

Simply put: stay home. The heaviest snow will fall between now and sunset at least. 

Des Moines is pretty much guaranteed to see snow for most of the afternoon before subsiding throughout the evening and wrapping up around midnight.

Taylor Kanost

11:09 a.m.

Roads are partially to completely snow-covered in most of western Iowa and much of central Iowa.


10:04 a.m.

Des Moines can expect to see 1-2" of snow by noon, based on the latest radar trends.

Taylor Kanost

9:21 a.m.

Early snow report totals from western Iowa

  • WNW Logan (Harrison County) — 3.5"
  • SSW Mondamin (Harrison County) — 3.0"
  • Red Oak (Montgomery County) — 2.5"

Taylor Kanost

8:49 a.m.

8:19 a.m.

Snow spotted in Dallas County.

Related Stories

Before You Leave, Check This Out