Iowa Road Conditions Today: Live Travel Alerts as Major Winter Storm Blankets Highways

A fast-moving winter storm is sweeping across the state tonight, turning many Iowa highways into slick, snow-packed stretches and triggering tow bans in several counties. As of 9 p.m., the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that long segments of I-35 from Ames to Ankeny and IA 415 near Polk City are “completely covered,” while portions of I-80 through Des Moines are “partially covered” with blowing snow. Northwest and north-central Iowa are bearing the brunt of the system, with snow totals already topping 6 inches around Fort Dodge and Sheldon. Central Iowa, including the Des Moines metro, is on pace for 2–3 inches, but rapid accumulation is reducing visibility and hampering evening travel. The National Weather Service winter-storm warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday. Key trouble spots • I-35: slick lanes and drifting snow from the Missouri border to Minnesota. • I-80/I-380 corridor: intermittent white-outs between Des Moines and Iowa City. • US 20 & US 30: multiple semitrailer slide-offs reported; expect lane blockages overnight. Tow-ban counties (subject to expansion): Polk, Story, Boone, and Cerro Gordo. Under a tow ban, wreckers cannot remove stranded vehicles until conditions improve, so drivers risk extended roadside waits. What drivers should do now 1. Check 511ia.org or the 511 mobile app before departing and enable push alerts for your route. 2. Delay non-essential trips until crews regain bare pavement; plows are prioritizing interstates and four-lanes first. 3. If you must travel, reduce speed at least 10 mph below the posted limit, keep headlights on, and leave triple the normal following distance. 4. Pack a winter safety kit—blanket, phone charger, snacks, and a full tank of fuel—in case you become stranded. Looking ahead Forecasters say snowfall will taper from west to east after midnight, but sub-freezing temperatures Sunday morning will lock in icy patches on bridges and exit ramps. Additional light snow Monday night could refrost treated surfaces, so intermittent slick spots may persist through mid-week. Stay updated Road crews post condition changes every 10 minutes on 511ia.org, and the Iowa State Patrol shares live camera feeds and closure alerts on social media. For county-level plow progress, follow your local secondary-roads department on Facebook or X. Bottom line: If the trip can wait, park it. If it can’t, plan extra time, watch for plows, and keep both hands on the wheel—safer roads in Iowa start with slower speeds tonight.