It appears that our first major snow event of the winter will occur this week. Marion County is under a Winter Storm Watch beginning tomorrow afternoon and continuing through Thursday afternoon. Right now, projections are calling for between five and eight inches of snow, with possible blizzard conditions tomorrow night – KNIA/KRLS’ Severe Weather Action Team is monitoring the situation and will let you know of any storm developments as well as delays and cancellations. Below is a statement from the National Weather Service on the issue:

A major winter storm will reach Iowa by Wednesday afternoon and continue to impact our weather through Thursday afternoon. Current indications are that the storm will begin as a mixture of rain and snow southeast with snow moving into west central to north central Iowa Wednesday afternoon. By Wednesday evening all of the precipitation will become snow with moderate to heavy snow likely by late evening. Winds will increase to 15 to 25 mph by evening and to 20 to 35 mph overnight with gusts to 40 mph or higher by sunrise Thursday. This will create dangerous travel conditions with blowing snow and low visibility along with near blizzard conditions at times. Monitor the latest forecast throughout this event and be prepared for adverse winter weather.