Republicans feel chill as battle for presidential nomination heats up

Candidates and caucus-goers faced extra challenges in Iowa yesterday, as the second major snowstorm in a week hit the state three days before Republicans were due to kick off their nomination process for the critical presidential election.

- Martin Pengelly, Sam Levine

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Des Moines, most of Iowa could expect significant snowfall, with high winds creating blizzard conditions in some areas.

"Life-threatening winter weather is expected, beginning tonight with heavy snow," the NWS said on Thursday. "White-out conditions likely Friday into Friday night. To follow, extreme wind chills as low as -45F [-43C] possible through early next week. Plan ahead for this dangerous stretch of winter weather." Schools and businesses closed and a blanket of heavy snow covered the streets of Iowa City overnight and continued to fall early yesterday morning. Save for the occasional car, the streets were largely deserted as the temperature hovered near 15F (-9C). At the local Target department store, University of Iowa students and other residents were seen stocking up on supplies as snowplows moved what snow had already fallen.