Iowa — Gray skies hang low over central Iowa this morning, and the cold settles in quietly but firmly. Breath fogs the air in Des Moines as temperatures sit in the teens, with wind chills near zero making it feel colder than it looks.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, today stays mostly dry but cold, with highs reaching the mid-20s. Winds remain light, yet any breeze keeps the chill noticeable for commuters and anyone heading outside early. Sidewalks and roads remain mostly clear, though shaded areas may stay slick from overnight refreezing.
Tonight turns colder again, with lows dropping back into the single digits. Clouds linger, holding in the cold air as winter maintains control across central Iowa. Thursday brings little change, with highs near 20 and mostly cloudy skies. Any melting during the afternoon could refreeze quickly after sunset, raising concerns for icy patches during evening travel.
Friday offers a brief break in cloud cover. Sunshine returns, but temperatures struggle to climb past the mid-teens. Roads stay dry overall, though cold pavement limits melting. By Friday night, temperatures fall to near zero once again.
Attention then shifts to the weekend. Saturday brings more sunshine and slightly milder air, with highs reaching the low 20s. By Saturday night, snow chances increase, with about a 30 percent chance developing after midnight. Light snow could linger into Sunday, with chances rising to around 40 percent. Accumulations remain uncertain, but even light snow could affect travel if it develops during colder nighttime hours.
This pattern reflects a broader Midwest setup. Cold air remains anchored across the Plains, while precipitation chances ease next week as temperatures slowly moderate.
Dress in layers today. Allow extra travel time after dark, especially where moisture refreezes. Keep an eye on weekend plans as snow chances grow.
Are you noticing icy spots this morning? Share what conditions look like in your neighborhood.
Five-Day Outlook for Des Moines, Iowa
- Today: Partly sunny and cold, high near 25°F
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, cold, high near 19°F
- Friday: Mostly sunny, very cold, high near 14°F
- Saturday: Sunny, cold, high near 21°F
- Sunday: Partly sunny, chance of snow, high near 30°F
