Iowa–Illinois — The cold feels immediate this morning, the kind that stiffens fingers in seconds and turns breath into white clouds under streetlights. Pavement rings hollow as tires roll across frozen roads in the Quad Cities.
Temperatures have dropped below zero in spots, with wind chills sinking between 10 and 20 degrees below zero along and north of the Interstate 80 corridor. According to the National Weather Service, this level of cold poses frostbite risk on exposed skin in under 30 minutes. Winds remain light, but the Arctic air mass does the work on its own.
A slight chance for light snow develops later today, mainly east of the Mississippi River. Any accumulation stays minor, measured in a few tenths of an inch at most. Even small amounts matter in this cold. Snow that melts briefly during the day can refreeze quickly after sunset, creating slick stretches on I-80, I-74, and city streets from Davenport to Moline.
Conditions improve only slightly Saturday. Sunshine returns, but highs remain stuck in the lower 20s. Wind chills stay near five below at times, especially during the morning. Outdoor exposure should stay limited. Check on pets, protect pipes, and keep emergency kits in vehicles.
Sunday trends quieter and a bit milder. Highs approach the upper 20s, with partly sunny skies. While that sounds better, refreezing continues after dark, especially in shaded areas and on bridges.
Early next week shows gradual moderation. Highs rise toward the low 30s by Monday and Tuesday. Light snow chances return Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night, though confidence remains moderate.
Meteorologists continue watching the broader Arctic pattern. With the Great Lakes heavily iced, cold air remains locked over the Midwest as February begins.
Five-Day Outlook: Quad Cities IA–IL
• Today: Mostly sunny, slight snow chance, high near 15
• Saturday: Sunny and very cold, high near 23
• Sunday: Partly sunny, high near 29
• Monday: Partly sunny, high near 31
• Tuesday: Chance of snow, high near 31
