Quad Cities, IA/IL – Iowa and Illinois wake to brittle air and pale winter light stretching across the Mississippi River. Breath hangs visible. Pavement looks calm but feels slick in spots.
Cold weather dominates the region today, with morning temperatures near 14 degrees and wind chills dipping close to zero. Northwest winds gusting up to 30 mph add bite and increase the risk of icy patches, especially on bridges and river crossings.
According to the National Weather Service, skies remain mostly sunny through the day, but warmth stays limited. Afternoon highs struggle to reach the mid-teens. Any snowmelt from recent days refreezes quickly, raising concerns for flash freezing during the morning and evening travel windows. Drivers along I-80, I-74, and local riverfront roads should allow extra braking distance.
Tonight turns mostly clear as temperatures fall into the single digits. Winds ease slightly, yet cold lingers. Sidewalks, parking lots, and untreated roads remain vulnerable to slick spots, particularly near shaded areas and along the Mississippi River corridor.
Wednesday brings a brief improvement. Sunshine pushes highs into the low 20s, offering a modest break from the deep chill. That relief is short-lived. Wednesday night drops back near 2 degrees under partly cloudy skies.
Thursday stays mostly sunny but colder again, with highs near 16 and lows around zero. Friday follows a similar pattern, topping out near 15 degrees with clear skies. Winter remains quiet but unforgiving, favoring cold over snow for now.
Looking ahead, longer-range outlooks show below-normal precipitation across the Midwest into early February. Cold air holds firm across the central U.S., while much warmer conditions build across the Southeast.
Dress in layers, protect exposed skin, and stay alert for icy surfaces during early drives. Have you noticed slick spots near your neighborhood this morning?
Five-Day Outlook for the Quad Cities (IA/IL)
• Today: Mostly sunny, high near 13
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 21
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 16
• Friday: Sunny, high near 15
• Saturday: Sunny, high near 23
