Iowa–Illinois — Cold air grips the Mississippi River corridor this morning, leaving parked cars creaking and breath visible with every step. The Quad Cities wake up to single-digit temperatures, but winter’s hold is already loosening.
Early today, readings hover near 7 degrees under clear skies. Winds stay light, though the cold bites hard on exposed skin. Roads remain dry, but shaded sidewalks and untreated surfaces stay slick from lingering frost. Afternoon sunshine helps temperatures recover into the upper 20s to near 30, offering modest relief without fully thawing frozen ground.
Tonight stays cold but calmer. Clouds slowly increase, and temperatures settle into the upper teens. Any melting during the day refreezes quickly after sunset, especially on bridges along I-74 and secondary roads near the river.
Thursday marks a noticeable shift. Clouds dominate, but warmer air pushes in from the southwest. Highs climb toward 40 degrees, accelerating snowmelt and creating damp pavement through the afternoon. Winds pick up at times, adding a breezy edge to the mild-up.
Thursday night remains above freezing in spots, with lows near 30. That reduces ice concerns but keeps roads wet heading into Friday morning.
Friday continues the warming trend. Partly sunny skies return, and highs reach the lower to mid-40s. Travel conditions stay favorable, though melting snowbanks may cause ponding in low-lying areas. Winds ease by evening as temperatures drop back into the lower 20s overnight.
The weekend stays seasonably mild for early February. Saturday brings sunshine and highs in the upper 30s. Saturday night cools into the upper 20s, followed by a mostly sunny Sunday with temperatures climbing back into the low 40s.
Looking ahead, early next week turns even warmer. Highs approach the upper 40s to near 50 by Monday and Tuesday, hinting at a broader warming pattern building across the Midwest.
Watch for daytime melting and nighttime refreezing through the end of the week. How quickly did temperatures rebound where you are this morning?
Five-Day Outlook for the Quad Cities (IA–IL)
- Today: Sunny and cold; high near 30
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy and milder; high near 40
- Friday: Partly sunny; high near 43
- Saturday: Mostly sunny; high near 37
- Sunday: Mostly sunny; high near 42
