DES MOINES, Iowa – Days of freezing temperatures and a surge in humidity will create potentially dangerous travel conditions due to ice and snow across the Midwest this weekend.

An ice storm warning has been issued for portions of eastern Iowa beginning Friday evening and continuing through early Saturday afternoon as the threat of icing on roads increases. The warning is in effect for Waterloo and Cedar Rapids with up to 0.2 to 0.3 inches of ice accumulation.

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A winter weather advisory has also been issued covering several Midwestern states.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has issued a reminder with winter driving tips for new drivers.

Freezing rain is possible in areas of Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin beginning Friday night.

As of December 13, 2024, winter weather advisories have been issued in several Midwestern states.

“Potentially treacherous travel Friday night into Saturday morning as freezing rain develops (with a greater than 80% chance) and covers surfaces with ice,” forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Des Moines said. “Freezing rain will transition to rain from south to north across the state by Saturday.”

What is an ice storm?

Meteorologists said there is a chance of 0.1 to 0.2 inches of ice accumulation north of Interstate 80 in Iowa outside of ice storm warning areas. According to the FOX Forecast Center, additional ice accumulations are possible in areas such as Madison, Wisconsin, Minneapolis and Rochester, Minnesota, and northwestern Illinois.

The advisory area may experience snow and sleet accumulations of less than an inch and ice accumulations of 0.1 to 0.2 inches.

The Midwest ice forecast for December 13, 2024.

(FOX Weather)

A significant ice event could result in power outages due to downed trees and power lines.

“Just a half inch of ice can actually add more than 280 pounds of weight to a power line,” said FOX weather meteorologist Michael Estime. “Depending on how much ice we see, fallen tree limbs, maybe a few power outages early Saturday morning, Iowa, something we’ll be watching.”

DRIVING TIPS IN WINTER WEATHER

Conditions are expected to improve in the second half of the weekend.