Sunday 10 a.m.
The first winter storm of the season dumped over five inches of snow on some parts of Muscatine from the New Year’s Day storm.
Trained spotters have reported an average of 5 to 6 inches in spots in Muscatine since Saturday night.
There were some unofficial higher amounts with 9.4 inches measured on the southside of town in an area shielded from the wind.
Another report to the Quad Cities office of the National Weather Service said 8.7 inches was measured near the hospital as of late Saturday evening.
Now that the snow has passed, eastern Iowa is waking up to dangerous wind chills this morning.
And it looks like the mild weather to conclude 2021 has been replaced with more seasonal conditions for the first week of 2022.
National Weather Service forecast for Muscatine, as of Sunday 7 a.m.
Saturday 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 5 p.m.
Saturday 4 p.m.
Here is a look at 345 PM road conditions pic.twitter.com/UheuiwbIL8
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) January 1, 2022
Moderate to heavy snow continues to fall in portions of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois with lighter snow in far southeast Iowa and west central Illinois. Use caution if out this afternoon pic.twitter.com/DVNNimQ1Jo
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) January 1, 2022
Saturday 12:30 p.m.
https://twitter.com/NWSQuadCities/status/1477344326954926083?t=AgowkEiNZ5Txjv7ScNIyrA&s=19
Saturday, 11:10 a.m.
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
❄️ Snow continues to push north, with a heavier snow band generally along Highway 34. Snowfall rates of 1-2” per hour are possible in the band. Visibility around a ½ to ¼ mile (especially in the band), snow covered roads, and blowing snow can be expected! #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/389WWauMmI
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) January 1, 2022
Saturday, 10:20 a.m.
Saturday, 9:10 a.m.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for much of northwest and west central Illinois, eastern Iowa and northeast Missouri today and tonight.
The Quad Cities National Weather Service office says widespread snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected with the higher totals along an axis from Fairfield, through the Quad Cities, to Sterling. Along Highway 20, snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches are expected.
North winds will gust up to 30 to 35 MPH resulting in low visibility in blowing snow and some drifting across east to west roadways.
Wind chills will be in the single digits above and below zero. Hazardous travel is expected, especially this afternoon and night.
The snow is expected to begin moving into Muscatine by mid-morning and continue through midnight.
A Wind Chill Advisory has been issued for areas west of a line from Manchester to Keokuk for late tonight through Sunday morning. Very cold wind chills of minus 15 to near minus 30 degrees are expected late tonight through Sunday morning.
If you must go outside, limit your time and bundle up; covering exposed skin. Don’t forget about the impact of the cold on your pets.
The Muscatine Department of Public Works is outfitting their fleet of trucks with snow plows and salt boxes while continually monitoring the forecast for the timing and path of the storm.
“We are closely monitoring the forecasts in preparation of the anticipated winter storm,” Brian Stineman, Public Works Director, said. “All of our equipment and staff are ready to go.”
Roadway Maintenance Supervisor Randy Howell said Thursday that crews are out putting a brine mixture down on city streets in preparation for the anticipated snowfall.
“We are just watching for updated forecasts to find out what we will receive and when,” Howell said. “We can then schedule the crews and clear the streets.”
City streets and alleys will be slippery as crews work to clear them and will become even more slippery as the melted snow turns to ice as the temperature falls to the single digits and below zero.
Residents are reminded to slow down and use caution if they have to be out this weekend, and to find off-street parking, if possible, as crews work to clear the snow over the weekend.
“As always, we encourage everyone who can to use off-street parking so that the plows can access the whole street,” Stineman said.
Visit Snow & Ice Control on the City of Muscatine website for more information.
While the impact this system will have on Muscatine and the surrounding area is not known, Stineman again urged residents to reacquaint themselves with the snow procedures of the City of Muscatine and to refresh themselves on winter safety.
“Residents can assist with snow removal operations by avoiding parking on the street during these snow events,” Stineman said.
If off-street parking is not an option, residents can use the “alternate side of street” parking plan that is specified in the City of Muscatine Snow Emergency Ordinance.
The “alternate side of parking” plan allows vehicles to be parked on the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days, and on the even-numbered side of the street on even-numbered days. On all streets where parking is allowed on one side only, if the permitted side (where parking is allowed) is even numbered, vehicles can park on that side only on even-numbered days. If the permitted side (where parking is allowed) is odd-numbered, vehicles can park on that side only on odd-numbered days. No parking is ever allowed on the side of the street where parking is prohibited by posted sign.
Stineman added that the City will continue to monitor forecasts.
“We will adjust our snow removal efforts as necessary to provide the safest road conditions possible for the traveling public,” Stineman said. “As always we advise drivers to slow down and use extra caution when driving in winter weather conditions.”
Remember your sidewalks
While the City works to clear streets, alleys, and parking lots of snow and ice, it is the responsibility of property owners to clear their sidewalks. The benefits of clearing sidewalks include reducing the potential for pedestrian falls while traversing the property, and clearing a safe path for public safety personnel if they are needed at the property.
Section 3-1-4 of the Muscatine City Code states that property owners are responsible for clearing natural accumulations of snow and ice from the sidewalks within 24 hours after the last snowfall. If the property owner does not clear the sidewalk in a reasonable time, the City will attempt to notify the property owner to remove the snow and ice. If the City clears the snow and ice, the property owner will be assessed the costs of removal.
Contractors or individuals working to clear sidewalks and driveways of snow and ice accumulations are reminded that depositing snow and ice accumulations upon city streets is a violation of City Ordinance 3-1-7 (D) Dumping of Snow.
Whether you are shoveling, using a snow blower, or utilizing a snow plow, the placement of snow and ice accumulations is required to be on the property of the residence or business, and not pushed or thrown onto city streets.
Be Prepared
As we move into the winter season, residents can be better prepared for hazardous conditions by visiting the National Weather Service Winter Safety page.
Preparedness:
- A Winter Storm Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for significant winter weather and/or blizzard conditions. Time to prepare.
- A Winter Storm Warning is issued when a combination of heavy snow, blowing snow, and possibly ice mixed with snow is expected to impact the area. Time to act.
- A Blizzard Warning is issued when the combination of strong wind, low visibility, and heavy snow will significantly impact daily life.
If you are travelling plan extra travel time, drive slower and more cautiously, bundle up, and check the following links for road conditions:
- National Weather Service-Quad Cities Road Conditions
- Iowa Department of Transportation Road Conditions
- Illinois Department of Transportation Road Conditions