Iowa – Headlights glow through thick gray murk this morning as dense fog blankets much of central Iowa. Visibility drops to a quarter mile or less in spots, making early travel slow and stressful before winter weather tightens its grip later in the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect through late morning. Low visibility may linger along I-80, I-35, and rural highways where moisture pools near fields and rivers. Drivers should slow down, use low beams, and leave extra space.
As the fog lifts, today turns milder and mostly cloudy, offering a brief travel window. That window narrows Sunday. Rain develops by midday, then colder air pushes in late, allowing rain to mix with snow by afternoon and evening. Northwest winds strengthen quickly, with gusts nearing 35 mph.
Des Moines, Ames, Ankeny, and Marshalltown could see slick spots develop Sunday night as temperatures fall into the teens. Even light snow may blow across roads, reducing visibility during peak return travel. Bridges and overpasses face the highest risk for flash freezing after sunset.
Plan extra time if driving Sunday or early Monday. Secure loose items and prepare for sharply colder conditions. Monday stays dry but windy and cold, with highs near the lower 20s. Wind chills dip into the single digits, a preview of deeper winter settling in before New Year’s Eve.
Looking ahead, New Year’s Eve Wednesday trends quiet but cold, with highs near 20 degrees. New Year’s Day 2026 remains chilly, reinforcing winter’s hold across Iowa as holiday travel wraps up.
Meteorologists continue monitoring additional snow chances next week. More advisories could be issued if winds and snow overlap.
Driving this morning or Sunday evening? What are conditions like where you are?
Five-Day Weather Outlook – Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday: Rain, then rain/snow mix, windy, high near 44
Sunday Night: Slight chance snow, blustery, low near 10
Monday: Mostly sunny, windy, high near 22
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, cold, high near 38
Wednesday (New Year’s Eve): Partly sunny, cold, high near 32
