The weatherman is predicting that a blizzard will hit Iowa tonight, but after the caucuses.
That does not mean the weather will not have an impact on turnout. Weather is somewhat precictable, but voters' behavior is not. Predictions of a blizzard empty out milk and bread supplies at local groceries and enable a "hunker-down" mentality hours ahead of a storm.
@bluegal kind of crazy! When I was phone banking I got a lot of people citing the storm as why they might not be able to caucus.
— Alex (@alexjs85) February 1, 2016
The prediction of the storm is affecting reporters' behavior as well. The New York Times's Charles Blow is calling Iowa quits. We have to wonder: how much on-air talent will be stuck in Iowa tomorrow morning?
Wanted to stay in Iowa thru the caucuses, but blizzard expected tonight. I CANNOT get trapped here. Leaving today...
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) February 1, 2016
Not you too, Joni Ernst! Traitor.
Sen. Ernst won't be caucusing after all - says she needs to get back to dc ahead of the storm.
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) February 1, 2016
And even before one snowflake drops, the fact that the caucuses are limited to after-dark hours hampers senior citizens' participation. And if the low visibility of today's weather is any indication, many voters, seniors or not, might stay home.
#iowa travelers on #caucus day: pre-blizzard low visibility on I-80 east of #Grinnell pic.twitter.com/8VMzjjgT9Y
— Lynn Sweet (@lynnsweet) February 1, 2016
Turnout is critical in caucus states. The weather may not cooperate. Comedian Dean Obeidallah takes the lighter side:
A blizzard is coming to Iowa tonight - Even God is trying to stop Trump!
— Dean Obeidallah (@Deanofcomedy) February 1, 2016
