Iowa wakes up under a gray lid this morning as dense fog blankets central parts of the state. Tail lights fade quickly on interstates, and moisture beads on windshields as visibility drops sharply.
According to the National Weather Service, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect for Des Moines and much of central Iowa through the morning hours. Visibility may fall to a quarter mile or less, especially along I-35, I-80, and Highway 65. Drivers heading out early should slow down, use low-beam headlights, and allow extra space between vehicles.
Temperatures sit near 40 degrees, keeping conditions damp rather than icy for now. Still, shaded roads and bridges can feel slick in pockets where moisture lingers. School traffic and the post-holiday return to routines add another layer of risk during the morning commute.
Fog gradually lifts by late morning, though skies stay mostly cloudy. A mild push follows midweek. Sunshine returns Wednesday, and highs climb toward the upper 50s, well above early January averages. To be fair, that warmth sets the stage for the next system.
Clouds thicken Wednesday night, and rain develops Thursday afternoon. Showers continue into Thursday night, creating wet pavement for evening travel. Friday stays unsettled with additional rain chances and cooler air moving in behind the system.
By Friday night, colder air slips back into Iowa. Rain may mix with or change to snow as temperatures dip toward the upper 20s. Accumulations look light for now, but even a thin coating could slow traffic early Saturday. Flash freezing becomes possible if wet roads cool quickly after sunset.
Meteorologists continue tracking late-week trends as winter weather regains ground during the first full week of 2026. Traveling this morning or later this week? What are road conditions like in your area?
Five-Day Outlook for Des Moines, Iowa
- Today: Dense fog early, mostly cloudy, high near 43°
- Wednesday: Sunny and warmer, high near 58°
- Thursday: Chance of rain, high near 49°
- Friday: Scattered rain, cooler, high near 42°
- Saturday: Partly sunny, colder, high near 35°
