Forecasters are warning of “life-threatening” blizzard conditions heading into Iowa this weekend ahead of Monday's caucuses.
a Snowstorm warning Warnings were in effect for much of Iowa from Friday into Saturday, with winter storm warnings also in effect for several areas. The US National Weather Service (NWS) has advised.
The NWS predicts 3 to 5 inches of snow could fall in Des Moines over the next three days, with up to 8 inches possible in some areas.
Winds are expected to pick up starting Friday and lead to life-threatening snow conditions overnight into Saturday. temperature is expected Temperatures will drop dangerously low over the weekend and into early next week, with wind chills as low as -45 degrees, according to the NWS.
The high temperature in Des Moines on Sunday is expected to be -5 degrees, and on Monday it will be -3 degrees, with temperatures expected to drop to -2 digits overnight.
A storm is rocking the Republican primary as candidates make their final appeal to voters in the Hawkeye State.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has canceled all in-person events scheduled for Friday in Fort Dodge, Le Mars and Council Bluffs. His campaign says the event will now be held as a telephone town hall.
A super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has postponed events in Clear Lake and Marshalltown, citing “dangerous weather conditions,” and events in Pella and Coralville will be monitored throughout the day.
Dave Vasquez, Never Back Down Super PAC National Spokesperson told CNN It means they are well prepared for all the challenges of caucus night, including severe weather. David Poliansky, Mr. DeSantis' deputy campaign manager, told CNN that the subzero weather is “consistent with our radical mentality.” He said the campaign is looking forward to “forcing our opponents to try to match our campaign pace when it hurts to breathe outside.”
At a campaign event Thursday, Mr. DeSantis acknowledged that the cold weather would affect his caucus and asked voters to “brave the weather” and show up to support him.
Former President Trump said last week that the only way to hurt his campaign is “if you stay home.”
A senior Trump campaign adviser said in an email statement Friday that the campaign is confident local governments will ensure roads and parking are maintained and available to voters for the caucuses.
“Local governments take citizen participation seriously and will do what is necessary to facilitate a smooth voting process for Iowans on Monday night,” a Trump campaign official said.
With winter weather upon us, The Hill reached out to the Haley and DeSantis campaigns for more information on this weekend's events.
Trump leads in Iowa with 54.4% approval rating, according to The Hill partner Decision Desk Headquarters. Haley is second with 17.4 percent support, followed closely by DeSantis with 15.9 percent support.
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