A Snow Squall Warning was issued for the Tama-Toledo area around midday Sunday as a powerful winter storm moved through eastern Iowa.

Snow squalls impacted the region, creating sudden and dangerous travel conditions. Outside of the squalls themselves, temperatures dropped rapidly while winds increased, leading to icy roads and quick snow accumulation. The Tama County Sheriff’s Office did not advise travel during the warning period due to rapidly changing conditions.

A snow squall is a narrow, fast-moving band of intense snowfall that can cause near-whiteout visibility and quickly coat roadways. While they typically last only 30 minutes to an hour, snow squalls are especially dangerous because of how quickly conditions can deteriorate. By comparison, a blizzard involves sustained poor visibility and hazardous conditions lasting three hours or more.

During a Snow Squall Warning, travel is not advised. Motorists already on the road are urged to get off highways and find a safe place to park. Open areas such as highways are particularly dangerous, as blowing snow can sharply reduce visibility. Snow squalls frequently lead to multi-vehicle accidents due to the abrupt change in driving conditions.

The National Weather Service cautioned that even after the squalls passed, rapidly falling temperatures and gusty winds could cause roads to freeze quickly, extending hazardous travel conditions across the area.