Davenport, Iowa – Communities along the Iowa–Illinois border remain under heightened winter weather concern as lingering cold across the Upper Midwest keeps the threat for additional snowstorms elevated through mid-February, following one of the most widespread winter systems of the season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures are expected to persist across eastern Iowa and western Illinois. With cold air firmly entrenched, any storm system moving through the Plains or Midwest would likely produce snow, and longer-range outlooks continue to suggest an active pattern capable of delivering heavy accumulations.
The concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern delivered heavy snowfall across both Iowa and Illinois, with significant accumulations reported along and north of the I-80 corridor. Travel conditions deteriorated rapidly on Interstates 80, 74, and 280, while snow-covered bridges along the Mississippi River created dangerous driving conditions across the Quad Cities region.
As cold conditions linger, communities from Davenport and Bettendorf to Rock Island, Moline, and Clinton could face renewed disruptions if similarly strong systems develop. Iowa DOT and Illinois DOT officials warn that repeated snow events can quickly overwhelm plowing and treatment efforts, especially during overnight and early morning hours when temperatures remain well below freezing and snow compacts into ice.
Emergency management officials on both sides of the river are urging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, restocking winter emergency kits, and ensuring vehicles are equipped for prolonged cold and snow. Limiting non-essential travel during winter storms can reduce the risk of crashes and delays.
While the exact timing of future systems remains uncertain, forecasters say the broader pattern supports continued winter impacts. Additional advisories and warnings may be issued as confidence increases, with cold air and the threat of heavy snow likely remaining a persistent concern along the Iowa–Illinois border through mid-February.
