Classes at Urbandale Schools Canceled Thursday, Snow Ordinance Continues

Students in the Urbandale School District can sleep in Thursday.

The district has canceled classes in wake of winter storm Draco.

The Urbandale Food Pantry will also be closed on Thursday.

Draco had dropped nearly 1.8 inches of the white stuff in Urbandale by 7 p.m.

Skies were lit up this evening with what's being called Thunder Snow - lightning and thunder during a snow storm.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.

The City of Urbandale is under the snow ordinance until 6 p.m. Thursday, meaning no cars are allowed to be parked on city streets.

The Department of Public Safety's Division of the Iowa State Patrol will be working through the night, but urges residents to stay off the streets.

"The smartest, safest thing Iowans can do tonight and tomorrow is avoid traveling--in town or on the highways and interstates," said Colonel David Garrison, Iowa State Patrol. "The National Weather Service clearly states this will be a dangerous storm with high winds and low visibility. Do yourself a favor and stay in this evening."

The heaviest snow is expected between midnight and 5 a.m. Thursday. Snow is expected to taper off in the afternoon Thursday.