March 28, 2024

Jasper County hit with second round of snow, cold

More on the way

A second blast of winter weather hit Newton over the weekend, adding more than four inches of snow to the already blanketed ground, and more is on the way Tuesday.

Jasper County and central Iowa school districts closed or delayed Tuesday in anticipation for the third winter storm in a week, following an early release Friday. Activities throughout the county were canceled or postponed over the weekend due to the snowfall.

Starting around 3 p.m. Friday and running through the night, the light-weight snow brought the area’s accumulation close to seven inches that followed the first significant snowfall of the year on Jan. 19 which brought 2.4 inches in Newton. Crews were out in force to clear the new snow both in the city and throughout the county as a wave of single-digit temperatures set in for the later part of the weekend.

Sunday, temperatures dipped into the negatives with a low of -2 degrees and the high only reaching 7 degrees, well below the average high of 28 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. A second snowfall also came down Sunday, adding to the total for the new year.

Monday brought patchy blowing snow with wind chill values as low as -5 degrees at 22 to 32 miles per hour.

Residents were advised to be cautious of the weather not just for themselves but also any pets in their care. The Jasper County Animal Rescue League advised if any person sees animals outside for any extended period of time in the cold to call local animal control due to the temperatures reaching potentially life-threatening lows. Jasper County residents are also advised to call the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department at 641-792-5912 if a stray dog or cat is seen outside.

The seasonal weather was predicted to continue with a chance of freezing drizzle forecasted after 9 a.m. Tuesday along with snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain, during the day. The new ice accumulation is predicted at .1 inch and 1 to 2 inches of snow is possible.

After Tuesday, the next chance for snow is Thursday along with Friday evening and Sunday.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com