Des Moines, Iowa – A late-winter warm-up is shaping up across Iowa, bringing a stretch of above-normal temperatures that should improve travel and offer a noticeable break from recent cold. The milder pattern is expected to help melt lingering snow while keeping conditions quiet across the state.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the Feb. 9–15 outlook favors above-normal temperatures across nearly all of Iowa. Confidence is strongest across the central Plains and Midwest, placing Iowa solidly within a warmer-than-average zone through the middle of the month.
In central Iowa, including Des Moines, Ames, and Ankeny, afternoon highs are expected to rise into the 30s and 40s, reducing daytime ice concerns and making for easier commutes. Eastern Iowa cities such as Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Davenport should see similar warming, helping clear secondary roads and sidewalks.
Western Iowa, including Council Bluffs and Sioux City, also trends milder, while northern Iowa warms more gradually but still avoids prolonged bitter cold during this stretch.
Despite the warming trend, the pattern remains dry. No organized snow or rain systems are evident during this period, limiting travel disruptions but also offering little additional moisture.
Overnight refreezing remains possible, especially on untreated surfaces. Additional outlooks will clarify whether the mild pattern continues deeper into February or if colder air returns later in the month.
