(The Center Square) – Temperatures will remain below zero today as Iowa Republicans prepare to head to precincts to choose their candidate for U.S. president.
“Basically, it’s going to be zero to 10 below across the state with cold temperatures across the northern part,” Rod Donavon, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told The Center Square.
Former President Donald Trump is the favorite to win the initial stop in the Republican caucus and primary schedule for the nation’s 60th presidential election. New Hampshire has the first primary on Tuesday of next week.
In the most recent The Center Square Voters’ Voice poll, Trump has taken a head-to-head lead over President Joe Biden.
Road conditions vary across Iowa, with many roads listed as completely covered near Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s travel map. Many roads are at least partially covered. U.S. Route 6 between Oakland and the Atlantic area is the only road marked impassable as of Monday morning, according to the map.
This is not the first time voters have braved adverse weather conditions, according to Kush Desai, communications director for the Iowan Republican Party.
“Although we understand concerns about the weather, Iowa has held its First-in-the-Nation Caucus for nearly 50 years through rain, snow, and freezing temperatures,” Desai said in a statement to The Center Square. “We are asking caucus-goers to leave themselves plenty of time to get to their caucus sites safely, but ultimately Iowans are well acclimated to Midwest winters and understand what’s at stake for our country.”
The leading candidates acknowledge the weather in social media posts on Monday.
“Bundle up and buckle up!” Nikki Haley said on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, on Monday morning.
“I’m asking you to go out, brave the cold and support me in the Iowa Caucus,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a video on X.
Former president Donald Trump, who leads the polls, said no one should believe the caucuses are canceled.
“Be on the lookout for dirty tricks,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “The Iowa Caucus is 100% on for Monday night, January 15th. It will not be canceled or postponed under any circumstances.”
