BEYOND. COMING UP IN A BIT. THANK YOU. ZANE. NOW SOME FOLKS ARE USING THIS TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER SEASON. FOR HARDWARE STORES, THAT MEANS GETTING THE INVENTORY OUT ON THE FLOOR. AND FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, IT LOOKS LIKE SHARING ADVICE WITH IOWANS AND PREPARING TO RESPOND. KCCI KAYLA JAMES TELLS US WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW FOR THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND. PLAN AHEAD. LEAVE EARLY AND GIVE YOURSELF SOME TIME. THAT ADVICE COMES FROM THE IOWA STATE PATROL. IF YOU HAVE TO HEAD OUT ON THE ROADS, IF YOU’RE GOING TO HEAD OFF INTO THOSE AREAS FOR SOME TRAVEL PLANS. PLAN AHEAD. LEAVE EARLY TO GIVE YOURSELF SOME TIME TO MAYBE DRIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CAUTIOUS AND SLOW. SERGEANT ALEX DINKLA TELLS KCCI. THE IOWA STATE PATROL IS WATCHING THE WEATHER CLOSELY AND PREPARED TO HELP WHEN NEEDED. WHETHER IT’S KEEPING OFFICERS OUT A LITTLE LATE OR BRINGING THEM IN A LITTLE EARLY, IT’S GOING TO DICTATE THAT ON WHAT THE WEATHER IS GOING TO DO. AND DINKLA SAYS HAVING A CAR EMERGENCY KIT IS KEY. MANY OF THOSE ITEMS ARE FOUND AT STORES LIKE TRUE VALUE HARDWARE IN WEST DES MOINES. I WOULD THINK YOU’D WANT SOME KIND OF SHOVEL IN THERE. SO IF YOU GET STUCK, YOU CAN YOU CAN DO A LITTLE DIGGING, MAYBE A LITTLE SAND FIRST AID KIT. JOE BERGERSON IS THE STORE’S MANAGER. LITTLE ONES ARE GOOD, A BIG ONE. THESE ARE NICE, HE SAYS. MID NOVEMBER IT WILL ACTUALLY FLIP OUT. IS AROUND THE TIME SHOPS START FILLING SHELVES WITH WINTER PREP ITEMS, GETTING READY FOR WINTER LIKE ICE MELT SHOVELS AND SNOW BLOWERS. I TRY TO GET THAT WINTER STUFF OUT EARLIER SO PEOPLE CAN GET READY FOR IT WHEN IT COMES, WHETHER IT’S WITHIN THE WALLS OF A HARDWARE SHOP OR ON THE ROADS. THE GOAL IS THE SAME MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO STAY SAFE. IN DES MOINES, KAY

Iowa State Patrol, hardware shops discuss preparing for winter weather

Updated: 11:20 AM CST Nov 8, 2025

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As the first bit of winter weather for the season approaches this weekend for certain parts of Iowa, KCCI spoke with the Iowa State Patrol about what people can do to stay prepared. KCCI Storm Team 8 meteorologists forecast a mixture of snow and rain to move through Iowa Saturday. The Iowa State Patrol is watching the weather closely and is prepared to help when needed. “If you’re going to head off into those areas for some travel plans, plan ahead, leave early to give yourself some time to drive a little more cautious,” said Sgt. Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol. Dinkla recommended that people make sure their winter emergency car kits are packed into their vehicles. In addition to a full tank of gas, kits should have phone chargers, a snow shovel, blankets, water bottles and non-perishable foods, and more. In addition to the Iowa State Patrol, KCCI spoke with the manager of True Value Hardware in West Des Moines about preparing for the winter months as they approach. You can see more in the video at the top of this story.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

DES MOINES, Iowa —

As the first bit of winter weather for the season approaches this weekend for certain parts of Iowa, KCCI spoke with the Iowa State Patrol about what people can do to stay prepared.

KCCI Storm Team 8 meteorologists forecast a mixture of snow and rain to move through Iowa Saturday.

The Iowa State Patrol is watching the weather closely and is prepared to help when needed.

“If you’re going to head off into those areas for some travel plans, plan ahead, leave early to give yourself some time to drive a little more cautious,” said Sgt. Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol.

Dinkla recommended that people make sure their winter emergency car kits are packed into their vehicles. In addition to a full tank of gas, kits should have phone chargers, a snow shovel, blankets, water bottles and non-perishable foods, and more.

In addition to the Iowa State Patrol, KCCI spoke with the manager of True Value Hardware in West Des Moines about preparing for the winter months as they approach. You can see more in the video at the top of this story.

» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page

» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play