Current 35/80 driving conditions?

**ornryactor** · 01-10-2009, 10:59 AM

I was planning on driving back to Ames from here in Iowa City for the WBB game today, but this storm has me pretty worried. I-80 and Hwy 30 both have towing bans between here and I-35. We didn't get any ice over here, and only 3" of snow (though it's still coming down). The DOT is reporting 100% covered roadways on both interstates.

Did the Des Moines area get ice last night or today? Has anybody been out driving anywhere? I really, really, really want to move back in time for the game, but I'm not willing to risk my life if the roads are that bad. I'd need to leave IC around noon, and would be at DM by 1:30 or so.

**ajk4st8** · 01-10-2009, 10:59 AM

The sun is out now.. so any salt on the roads should be helping.

**chuckd4735** · 01-10-2009, 11:00 AM

Ames probably got 8-12 inches of snow.

**San Francisco Cy** · 01-10-2009, 11:02 AM

The freezing rain started last here in Ankeny around 5:30 or so for about an hour. Then, that turned to snow, and it was still snowing after midnight last night. The Iowa Road Conditions site shows "difficult" driving conditions all over central Iowa. I had friends go up north of Ames from downtown last night, and they said it was slow, but fine. That's the best I can do from my couch. ;-)

**jsmith86** · 01-10-2009, 11:02 AM

I haven't stepped outside yet, but from looking out the window, it seems like I'll have quite a bit of shoveling to do before I can even get inside my car.

**Wesley** · 01-10-2009, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

Ames probably got 8-12 inches of snow.

Let those texans remember they are now in Ames.

**cmoneyr** · 01-10-2009, 11:04 AM

It seems to be just snow in Ames, lots of it, but only snow.

**CyBride** · 01-10-2009, 11:05 AM

I drove up this morning from DSM. If you go at a reasonable pace, the right lane is pretty good, and the left is a little dicey on 35. There was a bad accident on 80 between 65 bypass and the east mixmaster this morning around 9 from some icy conditions. Semi jacknifed and several cars involved. Take your time, and you should be fine.

**cyclonedave25** · 01-10-2009, 11:06 AM

I just heard from a friend, that is driving from IC, that I-80 is moving around 40-45 mph and the passing lane is completely snow covered. It's doable, but would probably be a long, slow drive.

**Aclone** · 01-10-2009, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley

Let those texans remember they are now in Ames.

Oklahoma State?!!

I know that it was sleeting before the snow hit here in Altoona (usually resulting in ice) and the streets don't look good from my window--and we live not far from the maintenance depot, along a street that's usually the first cleared.

**Wesley** · 01-10-2009, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

Ames probably got 8-12 inches of snow.

The one fellow claimed it was a foot this morning.

**wesley_w** · 01-10-2009, 11:12 AM

I had about 7-8" average on my driveway here in Ames but the good news was that there was no ice underneath it. I haven't driven yet but our house is on old hwy 30 and cars seem to be moving almost normally.

I'll edit this to add that the sun is out and it's looking pretty good.