A strong winter storm affected nearly every county in Iowa, prompting schools, churches, clinics, and local organizations to cancel or delay operations on Monday. Snowfall and icy road conditions made travel hazardous across the state, leading to safety warnings from both local law enforcement and weather officials.
Many school districts announced early in the morning that classes would be canceled or delayed. Colleges and universities, including several public campuses, followed with similar announcements to ensure student and staff safety. Some schools shifted to remote learning plans, while others opted for complete closure until conditions improved.
Emergency management teams worked overnight to clear major highways and monitor power outages caused by heavy snowfall and strong winds. Officials urged residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until road crews could restore safer driving conditions.
Meteorologists predicted that snow would taper off by late Monday evening, but freezing temperatures could persist through midweek. Transportation departments plan to continue de-icing operations and assess rural bus routes before resuming regular schedules.
“The safety of our community remains our top priority,” said a state education official. “We encourage everyone to check with their local school districts for specific updates.”
Heavy snowfall and icy roads forced widespread cancellations across Iowa, as officials prioritized safety and worked to restore normal operations.