Storm brings heavy snow to northern Iowa

DES MOINES (AP) ? Schools were closed across northern and eastern Iowa as a winter storm brought heavy snow and dangerous driving condition.

The National Weather Service says several inches of snow fell in northwest Iowa early today. The heaviest snow, up to 8 inches, is expected to pile up in northern Iowa into northern Illinois during the afternoon.

State officials reported a multiple vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 near West Branch around 10:30 a.m. today. No details were immediately released.

In Waterloo, Tom Loperfido spent his morning shoveling the sidewalk in front of his business. The task was not one he has had to tackle too often in what was a mild winter. He says it was a ?real treat? while it lasted.