Breaking News

More () »

Weather

ARCHIVE - February 4th blizzard coverage: Road conditions and winter storm forecast

Near-blizzard conditions were expected with the winter storm blowing through the Quad Cities Thursday, February 4

Credit: WQAD

DAVENPORT, Iowa —

Scroll down for the archived weather blog

A winter storm warning is in effect for much of the News 8 viewing area. To the west counties are under a blizzard warning and counties surrounding the broad Quad Cities area are under a winter weather advisory.

With this storm a cold front is expected to blow eastward causing winds to gust up to 40mph. White out conditions are possible.

A possible 2-5 inches of snow are expected throughout the evening hours.

The winter storm warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Friday.

"Wind chills will drop to 5 below to 15 below zero late Thursday night along and north of I80, and will be very dangerous to anyone stranded out in the storm," according to the National Weather Service.

Click here a visual of the active alerts

Credit: WQAD

Here is some helpful information as we navigate this storm:

Download the News 8 app for weather and news alerts sent straight to your phone: Download for iOS | Download for Android

Archived weather blog:

(Most recent information on top)

Interested in how much snow we received today? Here's a look at the reports that we received so far! Check out https://t.co/4QmSCBjusg for a more detailed look. We are still accepting reports to fill in some gaps! Thank you for all of the reports thus far! #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/YJ5BT5xCAU
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 5, 2021

**8:45PM Update** Not much improvement out there and Travel Still Not Advised! Gusty winds, leading to drifting snow, and flash freeze conditions continue! Check https://t.co/Ziqkzi7Gyw for the latest road conditions, if you must go out! #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/6UCbWeU6vH
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 5, 2021

Snow will be ending across NW Illinois shortly. Gusty winds will continue to create blowing and drifting snow, with travel remaining hazardous due to slick and snow covered roads and low visibility especially in open areas. #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/hnZcGyobQ2
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 5, 2021

**6:35PM Update** Travel Still Not Advised! Gusty winds and flash freeze conditions continue, leading to drifting snow, as the remainder of the falling snow moves out! Check https://t.co/1C2fd2WYTW for the latest road conditions, if you must go out! #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/bDcyotrUcM
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 5, 2021

Snow will continue to taper off along and east of the Mississippi River over the next couple of hours. Even after the snow ends, travel will remain hazardous with considerable drifting and snow covered roads, and patchy blowing snow in open/rural areas. #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/IBU5vXRo7Q
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 5, 2021

Dangerous cold and drifting snow are expected through tomorrow morning. The falling snow is starting to push out of the area, leaving us with gusty winds and drifting snow. The cold temperatures and drifting snow will lead to treacherous driving conditions through the night! pic.twitter.com/4kjsFjEK4A
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 5, 2021

**5:00PM Update** Travel Is Not Advised! Gusty winds are leading to blowing snow, reducing visibilities and making roads slick. Icy conditions can also be expected with quickly dropping temperatures! Check https://t.co/jvPv1mBUPz for the latest road conditions. #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/ky6SECMtDH
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 4, 2021

Hazardous road conditions will continue through tonight. The rain and wet snow received today will freeze quickly due to strong winds and very cold temperatures moving in, making roads treacherous. If you must travel, do so with extra caution! #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/i5bpjJHVDf
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 4, 2021

**5:00PM Update** Travel Is Not Advised! Gusty winds are leading to blowing snow, reducing visibilities and making roads slick. Icy conditions can also be expected with quickly dropping temperatures! Check https://t.co/jvPv1mBUPz for the latest road conditions. #iawx #ilwx #mowx pic.twitter.com/ky6SECMtDH
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 4, 2021

(2-4 4:00 pm) Travel conditions in eastern Iowa remain dangerous. Please do not travel in the impacted area if possible. Check the Iowa 511 app or https://t.co/2XHJbG5B9b for updates. pic.twitter.com/m4DWyDZdXM
— Iowa DOT (@iowadot) February 4, 2021

Here's where the plows are as 4:10 p.m.:

Credit: IA 511

I-80 WB: Left lane blocked due to a crash from Exit 290 - I-280; US 6 to Exit 284 - County Road Y40 (Davenport). https://t.co/RqDUTZa1K8
— Statewide Iowa 511 (@statewideia511) February 4, 2021

**3:15PM Update** Travel Is Not Advised! Gusty winds have now reached beyond the Mississippi River, bringing blowing snow into northwest IL as well. Conditions continue to deteriorate throughout eastern IA! Check https://t.co/4C9yMZq6kX for the latest road conditions! pic.twitter.com/EJdhXSaTUn
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 4, 2021

US 61: Travel is not advised from County Road E17 (3m N of Maquoketa) to US 52 (near Dubuque). Roadway is completely covered with snow. https://t.co/XEimRhGpFD
— Statewide Iowa 511 (@statewideia511) February 4, 2021

Arctic cold front is crossing the Mississippi River at 2 PM. Expect winds to switch to the northwest and increasing to 25 to 35 MPH with gusts up to 45 MPH. This will result in near whiteout conditions. Travel is not recommended. pic.twitter.com/8dGKS61mwR
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 4, 2021

WOW! Good sized pileup on I80 near Newton, Iowa. Crews cleaning up the scene now. pic.twitter.com/0fhcMX7exw
— Andrew Stutzke (@StutzkeWX) February 4, 2021

(2-4 at 1 pm) The majority of roads in eastern Iowa are listed as "travel not advised" right now. U.S. 63 is impassable north of Oskaloosa. Numerous other roads are blocked by crashes. PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. Check https://t.co/2XHJbG5B9b for updates. pic.twitter.com/9FrOphNKdn
— Iowa DOT (@iowadot) February 4, 2021

Awesome! I’ve only observed thundersnow once! @wqad https://t.co/sL31kmmcDl
— Eric Sorensen (@ERICSORENSEN) February 4, 2021

Moderate to heavy snow was falling east of a Independence to Fairfield line with light snow to the west. Thundersnow was being reported along a line from Moline to Princeton Illinois. Winds were increasing along and west of this line with gusts up to 40 MPH pic.twitter.com/3hCi1ndOi4
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 4, 2021

Here is a look at the radar and road conditions at 1110 AM. Moderate to heavy snow bands with visibilities below a quarter of a mile continue ahead of the cold front. The cold front is moving the area. Temps will fall quickly behind the front with untreated surfaces freezing. pic.twitter.com/clJ8UgVPtZ
— NWS Quad Cities (@NWSQuadCities) February 4, 2021