Strong winds were expected throughout the day, leading to blizzard conditions and making winter roads dangerous. A blizzard warning was in effect for much of Iowa. Conditions overnight left roads in western Iowa "nearly impassable" and visibility Wednesday morning was near zero at times, according to the National Weather Service. Snowfall totals in the north-central part of the state reached 9 inches, the Register said.
The dangerous conditions come as thousands try to descend on Des Moines for the Iowa girls' high school state basketball tournament, a major winter event in the state.
Texas bracing for more fires
South-central Texas was facing "near critical" fire weather conditions Wednesday because of the dry air and wind gusts forecast for the area. A Rangeland Fire Danger warning was in effect as 20-mph wind gusts were likely to combine with a minimum relative humidity of 15% to 25%, the weather service said.
Areas of New Mexico and Texas were temporarily shrouded by a brown mist earlier this week, when dust storms known as haboobs swept across the southern Plains on Monday afternoon. More than a dozen fire reports were received by the National Weather Service office in San Antonio and Austin.
Blizzard conditions expected in Midwest
Blizzard conditions are expected "at times" Wednesday from north of Kansas City, Missouri, to Iowa and Illinois and up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and several inches of snowfall combined with strong winds are likely, the National Weather Service said.
"The main concern today will continue to be the high winds with gusts expected to range between 50-65 mph through this evening," the NWS office in Kansas City said on X. The office in Marquette, Michigan, said strong winds along Lake Superior "will result in blizzard conditions, possible tree damage, and potential for power outages."