Still, the National Weather Service, Iowa Homeland Security and emergency management agencies across the state want to remind Iowans of the winter weather that is just around the corner.

“As the length of daylight decreases and the days cool toward the winter months, it is time to ensure all Iowans have made preparations for the winter season,” Andrew Ansorge, a meteorologist with the NWS in Des Moines, said in a press release for Winter Weather Awareness Day, which was Thursday.

The biggest impact winter weather has on most Iowans is on the roads. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, an average of 8,500 crashes have occurred each winter on Iowa roadways over the past five years.

When it comes to winter travel, Iowa State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says, if the weather’s bad, stay home.

-Graphic courtesy of National Weather Service

“If visibility is down, there’s heavy snow coming down or the roads are icy and you don’t have to go anywhere, please make it a point to stay home,” he said.

However, if travel is absolutely necessary, Gardner said, there are some things drivers should do to be prepared for an emergency.

“Always make sure you have plenty of supplies with you like food, water, plenty of warm clothing in case you’re stranded or if you crash into the ditch,” he told The Messenger last fall. “And always make sure your cell phone is fully charged, or carry a cell phone charger to be able to call 911 or communicate with others.”

Unnecessary travelers on the roads during winter weather events adds to the burden of the troopers and other law enforcement and emergency service agencies.

“The more traffic we have out there, it ties up our resources,” Gardner said. “On Highway 20 or I-35, where we see a lot more traffic coming through, our resources can get utilized very quickly because we’ll have jackknifed semis and cars that go in the ditch.”

-Graphic courtesy of National Weather Service

If a vehicle does slide into a ditch, it could be a while before anyone can get there to assist, Gardner said. If the engine can still run and is being used to keep warm, he said, it’s important to make sure the vehicle’s exhaust pipes are not blocked.

After a storm, when roads are safe to travel again, it’s still important for drivers to take precautions, Gardner said.

“Check their tires, their windshield wipers and make sure they have a first aid kit in their vehicle in case they get stranded,” he said. “If people are going to be out and about, they need to make sure they’re driving at a safe speed, avoid tailgating other vehicles, watching out for emergency vehicles and most importantly, make sure they’re buckled up.”

Gardner also noted that while most large winter storms are able to be predicted days in advance, sometimes smaller bursts of flurries or high winds aren’t as predictable and can cause low visibility and slick roads.

For up-to-date road conditions — including information on tow bans if the weather is really bad — the Iowa Department of Transportation has the Iowa 511 app and website 511ia.org.