Weather
Western Iowa Thanksgiving Weather Alert: Rain, Snow Possible Nov. 22-28
Des Moines, IA – Residents across central and western Iowa preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter changing weather conditions November 22 28, with rain, snow and potentiall
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-11-15T00:17:42.948Z
Des Moines, IA – Residents across central and western Iowa preparing for Thanksgiving and Black Friday travel could encounter changing weather conditions November 22 28, with rain, snow and potentially freezing rain among the possibilities as a wetter than normal pattern is favored across portions of the region.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's NOAA Climate Prediction Center, eight to 14 day outlooks issued Saturday, November 14, favor above normal precipitation across northern and western Iowa during Thanksgiving week.
The precipitation outlook places much of western and northern Iowa within a broader region extending across Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota where wetter than average conditions are favored.
Central Iowa lies closer to the transition between above normal and near normal precipitation probabilities, while areas near the Illinois Iowa border have a weaker precipitation signal.
These outlooks describe precipitation trends over the seven day period rather than predicting specific storms or snowfall amounts.
Could Central and Western Iowa See Snow or Freezing Rain?
Despite a temperature outlook favoring generally above normal conditions across portions of the Midwest, snow remains possible during late November.
Communities including Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Fort Dodge, Carroll and Storm Lake could experience snow if colder air coincides with precipitation.
Farther east, Des Moines, Ames and surrounding central Iowa communities could experience rain during milder periods, with snow or freezing rain possible if temperatures fall sufficiently.
Above normal temperatures do not mean every day will remain above freezing.
However, NOAA's extended outlook does not specifically forecast snowfall, ice accumulation or a winter storm.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Travel Outlook
Thanksgiving falls Thursday, November 26, followed by Black Friday on November 27.
Drivers traveling Interstate 29, Interstate 35, Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 20 should monitor updated forecasts as holiday traffic increases.
Rain could create wet roads and reduced visibility, while snow or freezing rain could produce slippery conditions if colder temperatures develop.
No specific hazardous travel period has been identified.
More detailed forecasts should clarify precipitation types, storm timing and potential travel impacts as Thanksgiving approaches.
For now, western and portions of central Iowa face a potentially wetter holiday period, with snow and icy conditions remaining possibilities worth monitoring.