Iowa highways fade into a gray blur as fog thickens across central Iowa, setting a cautious tone for holiday travel.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, widespread fog, possibly dense, develops tonight and may persist into Christmas morning. Visibility could drop quickly, especially on rural roads and along Interstate 35 and I-80, where sudden slowdowns are common in fog banks.
Temperatures hover near freezing early, then climb into the mid-40s to upper-40s during the day. That warmth keeps pavement wet rather than icy for now. Still, fog moisture can settle on bridges and ramps, leaving slick patches before daylight improves.
Christmas Day brings lingering fog early, then mostly cloudy skies. Travel conditions improve by afternoon as visibility lifts. For many, this becomes the best window for local trips and short drives.
Looking ahead, the pattern turns unusually mild. Sunshine returns Friday with highs near 54 degrees, followed by upper-50s warmth Saturday. It may feel more like early fall than winter. To be fair, this break helps dry roads for post-Christmas travel.
Then conditions shift fast.
By Sunday, a strong northwest wind arrives. Gusts may exceed 35 mph, ushering in a sharper cold snap. Temperatures fall into the low 30s, with wind chills making it feel colder. Any leftover moisture on roads could flash freeze after sunset, increasing crash risk late Sunday and early Monday.
Meteorologists say this warm-to-cold swing is classic late December trouble. Fog, wind, and refreezing often cause more issues than snow.
Slow down in fog. Secure loose items before the wind. Winter is changing gears again.
📅 Five-Day Outlook — Des Moines, IA
- Today: Patchy drizzle possible. High near 47°F
- Christmas Day: Fog early, then cloudy. High near 47°F
- Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 54°F
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy and mild. High near 59°F
- Sunday: Windy and colder. High near 32°F
