Chicago, Illinois – Iowa and Illinois are expected to slide firmly into near-normal temperature territory during the first full week of February, marking a clear transition zone between lingering western warmth and colder air holding across the Great Lakes and Northeast.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures from Tuesday through the following Monday are favored to run close to seasonal averages across both states. This represents a step down from the milder signals seen farther west and reflects a more typical early February pattern across the central Midwest.
In Iowa, cities from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids can expect highs generally in the 30s, with colder mornings in the teens and 20s. Illinois follows a similar setup, with northern and central portions of the state, including Chicago, Peoria, and Bloomington, holding near normal, while southern Illinois may occasionally run slightly milder during afternoon hours.
This near-normal pattern suggests fewer sharp temperature swings compared to recent weeks. Overnight freezes will remain common, limiting snowmelt and keeping winter impacts in place, though without the extreme cold seen earlier this season.
Precipitation chances appear limited overall, reducing the risk of widespread snow or ice. Travel along major corridors such as I-80, I-88, I-55, and I-74 should remain manageable, though early morning slick spots remain possible due to refreezing.
For residents, this stretch may feel quieter weather-wise, with conditions aligning more closely with what’s typical for early February. While winter remains firmly in control, the pattern shows no strong push toward either extreme cold or sustained warmth. Additional outlook updates are expected as February progresses and larger-scale patterns continue to evolve.
