Rock Island, IL – A sharp blast of arctic air is expected to sweep across the Illinois–Iowa border region tonight, pushing temperatures below zero and driving wind chills into dangerous territory, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Quad Cities.
Forecasters say subzero readings will settle in after sunset, with the coldest air centered from eastern Iowa into northwest and north-central Illinois. The NWS reports that wind chills may drop as low as 15 to 25 degrees below zero, especially west of a line from Fairfield, Iowa, to Freeport, Illinois. The bitter cold will return again Thursday night, keeping the region locked in a multi-day freeze.
Counties including Dubuque, Cedar, Muscatine, Scott, Jo Daviess, Whiteside, Rock Island, Bureau, Mercer, and Hancock may all experience prolonged periods of subzero air temperatures. While skies remain mostly quiet with no major storm systems expected, the extreme cold alone poses risks for frostbite in as little as 20–30 minutes on exposed skin.
According to the NWS, the probability of additional widespread hazardous weather remains low through early next week, though the current cold spell will linger through Friday morning before slowly easing.
Residents across the Quad Cities, eastern Iowa, and northwest Illinois are urged to limit outdoor exposure, check on elderly neighbors, bring pets indoors, and ensure adequate home heating. Drivers should keep emergency winter supplies in their vehicles as temperatures fall sharply after dark.
