Severe Weather Alert: Urbandale

Technically, the first day of winter is this Friday. But, the Urbandale weather forecast calls for the first snowstorm of the season to hit Wednesday.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a winter storm watch for much of Iowa, including Polk County.

The watch goes into effect from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.

The heaviest snowfall is likely to occur Wednesday evening, especially during rush hour traffic, according to KCCI.com.

Forecasters said moderate to locally heavy snow, generally 5 to 8 inches, is anticipated over central to southern Iowa, the TV station reports.

The accumulating snow is forecast to taper off during the morning hours Thursday, but the strong northwest winds will continue to cause blowing and drifting snow into Thursday evening.

Very strong winds are forecast to develop overnight Wednesday into Thursday which will lead to blowing and drifting of snow and reduced visibility to near blizzard conditions by Thursday morning, says KCCI.

The National Weather Service said a strong low pressure system will move from Colorado into the Oklahoma panhandle on Wednesday before lifting northeast into Illinois by Thursday.

On Wednesday, snow is predicted from Atlantic north through Boone to Waterloo. Rain is expected south of Bedford to Oskaloosa. A mix of rain and snow is expected in between. By Wednesday night, all precipitation will have likely switched to snow across the region, with accumulation of 5 to 8 inches before tapering off Thursday morning. Up to 10 inches of snow could be possible in some areas, the Weather Service said.