IOWA – Much of the state will remain under a winter weather advisory today after a blizzard shut down several highways, including Interstate 80, on Friday. Many communities received an additional 8-11″ of fluffy snow and gusty winds up to 40 MPH, which caused whiteout conditions for most of the day, which will now continue well into the weekend. Travel across the state is expected to remain hazardous on most highways and in rural areas into Sunday.

IOWA – A major winter storm, followed by near-record cold temperatures, is complicating many of the final stops for Republican presidential candidates ahead of the first-in-the-nation Iowa GOP Caucus Monday. NBC News reports many of the hopefuls had to cancel last-ditch efforts to convince voters to turn out on Monday. Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann believes turnout will remain high Monday, despite forecast wind chills at 30 below zero and colder projected statewide Monday evening.

CEDAR RAPIDS – An Iowa State Patrol trooper wasn’t injured after a crash involving a semi on Interstate 80 Friday. KCRG-TV reports the trooper was in his car when a semi approached and was unable to stop on a snow-covered highway. The Iowa State Patrol reports they responded to more than 70 crashes during the blizzard on Friday alone, and responded to more than 400 calls for service.