MUSCATINE, Iowa – Wintertime brings a variety of hazards that threaten health, safety, and property. Each year, hundreds of people across the United States are injured or killed as a direct result of winter weather — from exposure to extreme cold and vehicle crashes on icy roads to fires caused by unsafe heating practices.
Iowa Winter Awareness Day, observed on Thursday, November 6, 2025, serves as an annual reminder to prepare before severe weather strikes. The day, promoted by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the National Weather Service, encourages residents to review safety plans, winterize vehicles and homes, and stay informed about changing weather conditions.
Winter storms in Iowa can vary widely — from a few hours of light snow to blizzards that last for days and paralyze entire regions. Some storms are massive enough to affect multiple states, while others can devastate a single community.
The main hazards associated with winter storms include:
- High winds
- Freezing rain or sleet
- Heavy snowfall
- Dangerously cold temperatures
These conditions can create impassable snow drifts, stranding people at home without power or heat. Motorists can easily become trapped in their vehicles, and walking for help in freezing conditions can be deadly. Severe cold and wind chills can quickly lead to hypothermia and frostbite, endangering anyone caught outdoors for too long. Even after the storm passes, recovery can take days or weeks, and the economic impact may last much longer.
Now is the time to make sure your family, vehicle, and home are ready for winter. Check emergency kits, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and stay alert to weather updates.
For more information on winter weather safety and preparedness:
Winter Weather Terms to Know
- Snow Squall: A brief but intense burst of heavy snow accompanied by strong winds and whiteout conditions. Temperatures drop rapidly, creating extremely hazardous travel.
- Blizzard: Blowing or falling snow with winds of at least 35 mph, reducing visibility to a quarter mile or less for at least three hours. If the blowing snow comes from existing snow on the ground, it’s called a ground blizzard.
- Freezing Rain: Rain that freezes on contact with surfaces below 32°F, forming a layer of ice that can down trees and power lines and make roads impassable.
- Sleet: Rain or melted snow that refreezes before reaching the ground, creating small ice pellets that make driving and walking treacherous.
- Wind Chill: The temperature your body feels when wind and cold combine, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.