By Sam Parsons

There are now 3 separate severe weather alerts for our area that will be in effect today and tomorrow.

The National Weather Service of Des Moines says all of central Iowa remains under a winter storm warning until at least 10am this morning. From the overnight hours through this afternoon, snow accumulations are expected to tack on 4-8 inches.

There will also be a blizzard warning in effect starting at 10am this morning, lasting until 6am on Saturday morning. The NWS says life threatening conditions are expected with winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Visibilities below one quarter of a mile will be common with whiteout conditions.

And there will be a Wind Chill Watch in effect from Saturday evening through Tuesday morning. Wind chills of 30 to 45 degrees below zero are expected during that time.

The NWS says travel will be very difficult, if not impossible in some rural areas this afternoon and tonight, and dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. These temperatures and wind chills can be life threatening for stranded motorists. Travel should be restricted to emergency situations only, and if you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you.