Quad Cities, IA/IL – The National Weather Service (NWS) Quad Cities has issued an alert for accumulating snow and strong winds beginning Thursday morning and continuing into Thursday night. A passing cold front is expected to bring 2 to 5 inches of snow to much of eastern Iowa and western Illinois, with a wintry mix possible west of a Williamsburg–Burlington–Macomb line.
Strong northwest wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph will develop behind the front, creating blowing and drifting snow that may lead to hazardous travel and near-whiteout conditions in open areas.
Temperatures will start in the mid-30s to low 40s early Wednesday, before falling sharply into the 20s by afternoon. Roads may quickly become slick or snow-covered as precipitation transitions to snow during the day.
“Drivers should allow extra travel time and check road conditions before heading out,” the NWS said in its early morning briefing. “Visibility could drop rapidly during heavier snow showers or wind gusts, particularly along I-80 and other open corridors.”
Forecast snowfall totals range from 2–4 inches near Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities, to 3–5 inches around Princeton and Sterling, with lighter accumulations farther west.
Residents are encouraged to monitor weather.gov/dvn and 511ia.org or gettingaroundillinois.com for updated road conditions and travel advisories as the system moves through.
The storm is expected to taper off by early Friday, followed by a colder and drier weekend across the region.
