Iowans Urged to Prepare for Winter Weather
The National Weather Service asks Iowa residents to stock emergency supplies and check vehicles ahead of the El Niño winter.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Forecasts
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The National Weather Service encouraged Iowans to prepare emergency supplies and vehicles for winter weather on Winter Weather Preparedness Day, observed Thursday in Iowa. Residents were advised to keep emergency kits at home and have snow shovels and salt ready before the first major snowfall.
Why it matters
This winter is an El Niño winter, and big snowfalls and extreme cold remain possible across Iowa. Early preparation helps residents stay safe during power outages and dangerous travel conditions.
The guidance is advisory preparedness advice from the National Weather Service, with no measured storm totals reported yet. Forecasters have not specified the magnitude of snowfall or cold expected this season.
The players
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service is the federal agency under NOAA that issues weather forecasts, watches, and warnings for the United States.
The details
Residents are advised to keep a home emergency supply kit for power outages and to have snow shovels and salt available. Drivers should have vehicles checked for winter conditions, keep blankets, jumper cables and a portable phone charger inside, check road conditions before traveling, and allow extra time. If stranded, staying with the vehicle is recommended when safe, and anyone running an engine for heat should keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Timeline
Thursday: Winter Weather Preparedness Day observed in Iowa
Winter 2026-27: El Niño winter, with possible heavy snow and cold
Seasonal Patterns
This preparedness message follows the El Niño winter outlook that NOAA's Climate Prediction Center tracks, which is associated with a higher chance of variable winter conditions across the northern tier of the United States. The advisory asks Iowans to plan for the possibility of heavy snow and extreme cold this season rather than assuming a mild winter.
Assemble a home emergency kit and confirm you have snow shovels and salt before the first major snowfall. Before driving, check road conditions, clear snow and ice from your vehicle, and keep blankets, jumper cables and a portable phone charger inside.
The takeaway
Preparing supplies and vehicles before winter storms arrive reduces the risk of being stranded or exposed to dangerous cold. Keeping your exhaust pipe clear of snow is a simple step that can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Further reading
Find more seasonal outlooks in the Forecasts section.
More information
Check current conditions and warnings on the National Weather Service website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KGAN.
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