Iowa and Illinois – Lightning flickers over the Mississippi River this morning as rain sweeps across the Quad Cities. Wet pavement and low clouds stretch across bridges connecting Davenport, Moline, Rock Island, and Bettendorf.
According to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, showers and thunderstorms will move across eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois through the late morning hours. Rain chances reach around 90 percent, with totals approaching half an inch in some neighborhoods. Temperatures climb quickly toward 72 degrees, unusually warm for early March.
Drivers along Interstate 74, Interstate 80, and the Centennial Bridge corridor may encounter sudden bursts of rain and gusty winds near 25 mph through midday. Visibility may drop quickly during heavier downpours. Allow extra braking distance on bridges and elevated roads.
Storm activity gradually weakens later today, but scattered showers may linger through mid-afternoon. Conditions begin stabilizing by evening as clouds slowly break.
Saturday brings calmer weather to the Quad Cities. Mostly cloudy skies remain, but rain chances drop sharply and temperatures settle near 53 degrees. Winds may gust near 30 mph, making the air feel brisk compared to today’s warmth.
Sunshine returns Sunday with temperatures near 64 degrees, offering one of the nicest early-March days across the region. Early Sunday morning also marks the start of Daylight Saving Time, when clocks jump forward at 2 a.m. That change brings longer daylight into the evening hours.
The warming trend continues into early next week. Monday looks bright and mild with highs near 71 degrees, signaling a strong early-spring pattern across the Midwest.
Another system may arrive by Tuesday with rain chances returning to the Mississippi Valley.
With spring temperature swings underway, watch for early-season flash freezing when melting moisture refreezes on bridges after sunset.
Traveling across the Quad Cities today? Let us know what weather conditions you’re seeing in your area.
Five Day Outlook — Davenport, Iowa / Quad Cities
Saturday: Mostly cloudy and breezy. High 53°F.
Sunday: Sunny and pleasant. High 64°F.
Monday: Sunny and warmer. High 71°F.
Tuesday: Chance of rain, then rain likely. High 68°F.
Wednesday: Slight chance of rain with cooler air. High 54°F.
