Marshalltown residents were frolicking outdoors the past couple of days — going for walks with dogs, children were playing football outside. Then Tuesday afternoon hit, and it brought a sudden drop in temperature and strong winds.

The radical change caused some residents to change their plans, with events being rescheduled for later in the week.

Marshall County Emergency Management Director Kim Elder said the Tuesday morning temperatures were in the high 50s, low 60s when she went to work. By the time she went home for the day, the temperature was 31 degrees and steadily declining. At press time, the temperature was 18 degrees.

Elder said Marshall County was supposed to drop to 12 degrees Tuesday night with wind chills in the “negative double digits.”

“Welcome to the Iowa spring slash winter,” she said. “I am glad there is no bad storm for us. That is to the east. We just have temperature fluctuations.”

Elder expected the county emergency department to receive an advisory later in the evening as a result of the wind chill. There was also a chance for flurries and blowing snow, but she said there was nothing that would warrant a briefing.

The county does not often set up any warming centers. Elder said residents without heat should contact the Salvation Army at 641-753-5236. She said they can also call the Marshalltown/Marshall County 911 Communications Center non-emergency number, 641-754-5725.

Elder added there was a very low possibility for Marshall County to get some winter storm, but the bulk had mostly passed over the area late Tuesday afternoon.

She added the temperature would increase to the 30s this morning, and things would start getting back to normal.

“We just have one bad night, but even that can be plenty,” Elder said.

——

Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.