National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

The National Weather Service in conjunction with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency have declared November  12,  2009 as Winter Weather Awareness Day in Iowa.

Each year, winter returns to Iowa and can produce snow storms, blizzards, ice storms and periods of extremely cold temperatures and danger wind chill temperatures.  This year, the National Weather Service in Des Moines will issue three Public Information Statements highlighting winter hazards.   Look for the fall edition of the "Weather Whisper" which will highlight winter weather safety, the Iowa winter weather outlook and other interesting items. The "Weather Whisper" is due out in early November, 2009. 

Here are useful winter weather safety links:

Winter Weather Preparedness Page

National Winter Weather Preparedness Page

Be Ready Iowa!  Page

Official Three-Month Outlooks Page

Since El Nino is likely this winter, it would be good to know what impacts El Nino events have in the upper midwest.  Interested in learning more?  Please review El Nino Impacts in Iowa which was prepared by Craig Cogil, Climate Program Leader at the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

The official Winter Weather Outlook will be posted on this news story when it is released.

Remember, the National Weather Service has simplified its winter weather warning and advisory products in 2008. Click here for additional information.

Another change in winter weather products occurred late last winter. The National Weather Service, Des Moines no longer issues Short Term Forecasts during winter storm events.  Instead, WFO Des Moines will issue more frequent updates to the Watch/Warning/Advisory product to keep everyone informed about a winter storm.   The Short Term Forecast will still occasionally be issued to enhance the forecast during sub-advisory events and during the convective season for short term thunderstorm forecasts.  

Attention central Iowa media:  Getting the word out about winter weather preparedness is vital to the success of Winter Weather Awareness Day.  Please contact Jeff Johnson, National Weather Service, Des Moines, at 515-270-4501 Ext. 726  or e-mail at jeff.johnson@noaa.gov to schedule an interview.  Thank you.