Photo courtesy of Iowa DOT.

A snow emergency has been declared for the City of Washington as a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until noon Tuesday.

Mayor Jaron Rosien has issued the snow emergency effective from 10 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Wednesday. This prohibits any vehicle parking on city streets or alleys during this time unless the snow has been removed and the snow has ceased to fall. Vehicles found in violation of the snow emergency may be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense.

The National Weather Service Quad Cities Office predicts that the heaviest snowfall will occur Monday afternoon into the evening, with six to nine inches expected for Washington County. Ice accumulations of a light glaze are also predicted, with winds gusting as high as 35 miles per hour. Travel could be very difficult to impossible during the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes, with widespread blowing snow significantly reducing visibility. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Listen to KCII for weather and road condition updates, as well as cancellation information.