Davenport, Iowa – A rare sky show may light up eastern Iowa tonight as the Northern Lights dip unusually far south into Tuesday morning. Clear skies could allow residents across the Quad Cities to see aurora glows stretching low on the horizon.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a coronal mass ejection from the sun is fueling geomagnetic storms capable of producing aurora displays as far south as Iowa, Missouri, and even Virginia. Viewers in Davenport and along I-80 should head away from city lights and look north for the best chance of spotting the show.
Clouds may limit visibility by midweek as storm chances increase. The National Weather Service in the Quad Cities reports showers and thunderstorms likely Wednesday afternoon, with rainfall totals up to half an inch. Thunder chances taper by Thursday morning, followed by clearing skies and cooler air.
Drivers should stay alert for wet roadways Wednesday evening, especially near the Mississippi River bridges and rural stretches of Highway 61. Outdoor plans Tuesday night may be safe under mostly clear skies, but backup indoor options are wise for Wednesday.
Temperatures climb into the low 80s Tuesday before cooling sharply to the upper 60s by Thursday. Nights will trend chilly, dipping into the upper 40s.
Stay tuned for updates as additional advisories could be issued if storm activity strengthens or if aurora conditions remain favorable into Tuesday night.
Five Day Forecast for Davenport, Iowa
- Tuesday: Sunny, high near 81. Low 59, mostly clear.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, high 77 with showers and storms after 1 p.m.
- Thursday: Clearing, sunny, high near 67. Low around 50.
- Friday: Sunny, high near 71. Night low near 47.
- Saturday: Sunny, high near 73. Low near 47, mostly clear.
