Central Iowa residents are preparing for an ice storm Friday evening

Updated: December 13, 2024, 5:11 p.m. CST

AND THE TIME OF THIS SYSTEM IS COMING. Yes, we really expect quite a mess. JASON. Well, people across the state are preparing for this round of brutal weather, from those trying to keep roads from freezing to homeowners trying to keep their sidewalks clear. KCCI BEAU BOWMAN IS LIVE TONIGHT TO SHOW US WHAT YOU CAN DO IN THESE LAST HOURS BEFORE THIS LARGE STORM SYSTEM HITTS. Hello BO. YES, JODI. WE ARE NOW IN THE STORM CHASER WITH 80 OVER 35. RIGHT BETWEEN DES MOINES AND ANKENY. Near the Second Avenue exit. HERE WE GIVE YOU A LOOK. Obviously the precipitation hasn’t started yet, but the DOT crews have been out here working on these roads. And if you came in, it’s really not going to be a good idea to be out here tonight. For now, like I said, it’s fine. BUT IF YOU DO, WHEN YOU GET OUT OF HERE. YOU MUST BE CAREFUL. This is a time when they really need to turn those words into advice. CRAIG BARGFREDE WITH THE IOWA DOT SAYS storms like this are his Super Bowl. AS THE WEEKEND BEGINS WITH IOWANS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. The freezing rain begins to fall. IT’S AN ALL-HAND-ON-DECK SITUATION TO KEEP THE ROADS SAFE FOR TRAVELERS. WE ALWAYS GET VERY NERVOUS WHEN WE SEE ICE IN THE FORECAST BECAUSE THE SITUATION WHILE TRAVELING IS USUALLY A VERY TREAGUOUS SITUATION AND SECONDLY ICE IS SOME CHALLENGES. The biggest hurdle for Bargfrede is the rain, which falls early before temperatures drop below freezing. ANY WATER ON THE ROAD, UNLIKE ice, could wash away the brine they put down in anticipation of the weather. Timing is really a crucial factor, and crucially important. On 63rd and Grand Streets, people are buying up the melting ice and freezing rain. Try to stay one step ahead of this. Well, according to Channel Eight News it won’t be very nice tonight so I’m glad we’re not going anywhere. IN THE HOPE THAT IT WILL BE ENOUGH TO KEEP YOUR WALKWAYS CLEAR. Well, I heard it’s going to be a little sticky, a little snowy and really slippery. SO SOME FREEZING RAIN. So we get some melted ice cream and a shovel in case they need to shovel it. And they even picked out a shovel for the winter weather they knew was heading to IOWA in the coming months. IF YOU DON’T ANTICIPATE WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN, YOU MAY BE EXPECTED AND NOT HAVE THE TOOLS TO TAKE CARE OF IT. So yes, you need to get ready. SO AGAIN: THIS WEATHER HAS NOT BEGIN YET. BUT AS JASON SAID, WE COULD SEE THE FIRST SIGNS OF THIS IN THE NEXT HOUR. And as the night goes on, things really get better here. CRAIG BARGFREDE WITH THE DOT SAID: Another part of this storm that makes it really challenging is that the worst parts of it will take place in the dark overnight, so it will be difficult to see those slippery spots. I mean, it’s hard enough when it’s light outside, so it’s going to get a lot harder here overnight. So be really careful when you’re outside. BUT THE BEST ADVICE during a storm like this is to stay home and make yourself comfortable. It’s a nice night to sleep over, watch a Christmas movie, eat popcorn, drink hot cocoa and so on

Central Iowa residents are preparing for an ice storm Friday evening

Updated: December 13, 2024, 5:11 p.m. CST

As always, Iowans are heading to hardware stores to prepare for Friday night’s ice storm. At True Value, near the intersection of 63rd Street and Grand Avenue, customers bought melted ice, sand and even snow shovels. “Well I heard it’s going to get a little sticky, it’s snowing and getting really slippery, some freezing rain, so melt some ice and get a shovel just in case I need to shovel it,” said Steve Gress of Waukee. “If you don’t anticipate what’s going to happen, you’ll be caught unprepared and without the tools to deal with it. So yeah, get ready.”Craig Bargfrede, winter operations administrator at the Iowa DOT says storms like this are his Super Bowl. He says it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation to keep the roads safe for travelers. “We are always very nervous when we see ice in the weather forecast because, firstly, that is usually a very treacherous situation for travel, and secondly, ice presents a number of challenges,” Bargfrede said. Bargfrede hopes the storm starts with freezing rain – any water that hits the road could wash out the brine applied to the surface.

DES MOINES, Iowa –

As always, Iowans are heading to hardware stores to prepare for Friday night’s ice storm.

At True Value, near the intersection of 63rd Street and Grand Avenue, customers bought melted ice, sand and even snow shovels.

“Well I heard it’s going to get a little sticky, it’s snowing and getting really slippery, some freezing rain, so melt some ice and get a shovel just in case I need to shovel it,” said Steve Gress of Waukee. “If you don’t anticipate what’s going to happen, you’ll be caught unprepared and won’t have the tools to deal with it. So yeah, get ready.”

Craig Bargfrede, winter operations administrator for the Iowa DOT, says storms like this are his Super Bowl. He says it’s about all hands on deck to keep the roads safe for travelers.

“We are always very nervous when we see ice in the weather forecast because, firstly, it is usually a very treacherous situation for travel, and secondly, ice presents some challenges,” Bargfrede said.

Bargfrede hopes the storm starts with freezing rain – any water that hits the road could wash out the brine applied to the surface.