DES MOINES, Iowa — Another round of snow alongside some frigid temperatures are headed to the Hawkeye State, and central Iowa cities are announcing snow ordinances and parking bans.
Many central Iowa cities are still working to clear the remnants of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's snow - and the Thursday night snowfall is affecting street cleanup.
A Blizzard Warning is in place Friday for the entire Local 5 News viewing area. The combination of heavy snow and wind will lead to dangerous travel throughout the day, and issues will likely persist into Saturday.
The Local 5 Weather team forecasts snow will arrive Thursday night after 10 p.m., continuing throughout the day Friday. In total, the middle of the state can expect 6-10", while drier air in the south will keep totals smaller there.
Anyone who does not absolutely need to be on the roads should stay home until the storm passes.
Friday morning travel will be heavily impacted, as this snow will be drier and more susceptible to blowing and drifting due to strong winds. Wind gusts are expected to approach 45 mph later in the day, and there will be significant visibility drops in rural areas.
Here's a list of cities with snow ordinances or parking bans in affect ahead of the storm.
- Altoona
- Ankeny
- Ames
- Carlisle
- Clive
- Des Moines
- Grimes
- Indianola
- Johnston
- Newton
- Pleasant Hill
- Waukee
- West Des Moines
Altoona
The city's parking ban is in beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11 and will continue through 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13.
Cars should not be parked on any Altoona city street to allow for adequate snow removal by Altoona city crews. City roads will only be cleared if Altoona’s equipment can safely remove the snow without hitting parked vehicles or other objects in the roadway. These blocked roadways will instead be cleared after the homeowner removes the object, or it is towed or otherwise removed at the owner’s expense.
The city of Ames' snow ordinance goes into effect at 10 p.m. Thursday.
Snow routes are marked by red and white signs, and vehicles must be moved from all other city streets.
The city anticipates the ordinance will continue until 6 a.m. on Saturday, but that could change, as ordinances in Ames generally remain in effect until streets are completely plowed and it has stopped snowing.
“This event will be a very challenging event. These conditions will be very dangerous and difficult. Expect 6-10 inches of snow for Ames.” said Justin Clausen, Public Works Operations Manager, in the release. “It will be more challenging than the event earlier this week as we will have much more blowing snow.”
Ankeny's snow ordinance runs from 9 p.m. on Thursday to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The city shared these guidelines:
• No parking allowed on all public streets, alleys and on-street parking within the city during the snow ordinance.
• Parking in The District at Prairie Trail and Uptown Business District is prohibited from 2 – 6 a.m.
• Vehicles parked on the street during the snow ordinance will be ticketed $40 and may be towed.
• Property owners are responsible for clearing snow from all sidewalks on or adjacent to their property within 24 hours after snow has stopped falling.
Carlisle
Carlisle's Snow Emergency Parking Ban will go into effect at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
At that time, all vehicles must be removed from city parking lots and off city streets so snowplows can efficiently clear the roads. Vehicles that remain on the streets and in city parking lots are subject to a $50 fine and may be towed at the owner's expense.
The city of Clive is still under a snow/ice ordinance. Public Works and Parks crews are conducting full snow removal on Clive streets.
Residents are asked to move their parked vehicles from City streets in order to help crews perform their plowing duties in a safe and efficient manner. All Clive residents and businesses have a role in snow/ice removal operations.
Snow removal efforts are currently underway on Snow Routes. Vehicles may not be parked on Snow Route streets at this time.
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Grimes
Grimes forbids parking on any city streets from 11 p.m. on Thursday to 8 p.m. on Sunday as crews work to clear the streets. Anyone who breaks the ordinance may be issued a $50 ticket, according to the city.
Parking on any public street or alley is prohibited in Indianola during a snow emergency parking ban, which is in for effect after two or more inches of snow or ice has fallen.
Johnston
No parking is allowed on city streets between 6 p.m. on Thursday and 5 p.m. on Saturday, as Johnston's snow parking ban is in effect. Anyone who violates the snow ordinance could receive a ticket.
Newton
The city of Newton shared the following message:
Snow operations are in effect street parking is not allowed until snow has stopped falling and streets have been plowed to full width. Snow line has been activated.
The city of Pleasant Hill's snow ordinance will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday and last through at least 8 a.m. on Sunday. The ordinance bars any cars from parking on any city streets for at least 48 hours after the snowfall ends.
Waukee's emergency snow parking ban is in effect as of 5 p.m. Thursday and will last until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Vehicles are not permitted to park on any city street during the ban and drivers could face being towed and/or a $25 fine.
The city also shared:
- Place trash and recycling bins on your driveway, not on the street.
- If you have a fire hydrant in your yard, please clear snow to the ground a couple feet around the fire hydrant and all the way to the street. This gives our emergency personnel quick access when seconds count.
West Des Moines
West Des Moines' Emergency Parking Ban for Snow Removal will be in effect from 10 p.m. on Thursday to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
No vehicles can park on West Des Moines city streets during the ordinance. Cars violating the ban could be towed and/or fined $50.