IOWA – The first widespread, significant snowfall of the season is here in February for much of the state. According to the National Weather Service, the highest snow accumulations will be over southern into portions of central Iowa with 5 to 8 inches expected. Snow covered and slick roads should be expected and create for hazardous travel. Snow rates will generally be a quarter to half an inch per hour, though there will be a few periods where rates will be half an inch to three-quarters of an inch per hour. While visibility will be reduced in falling snow, blowing snow will not be a significant issue with wind speeds averaging 10 to 15 mph. The snow will taper off from west to east from the afternoon into this evening.

DES MOINES – Hands-free driving legislation is moving through the Iowa Senate. KCCI-TV reports the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Senate File 22, which would ban the use of cell phones while driving unless its hands-free or voice activated. Several versions of legislative have been introduced over the past seven years, but some in the Senate are confident this version will pass. The new legislation would allow police to pull over drivers for violating the law and increases the fine associated with the violation, if signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, who supports the bill.

CEDAR RAPIDS – The man who fell through the ice at Lake McBride this past weekend has been identified. KCRG-TV reports Jack Peacock of Cedar Rapids died after a passerby called police and believed someone had fallen through the ice and into the water. Police say they don’t know how long Peacock was under water. The most recent report from the Iowa DNR showed the lake ice at McBride was rated as unstable as of last week.