Davenport, Iowa – A broad fall storm system is expected to sweep into the upper Midwest late Friday night, bringing widespread heavy snow, slick roads, and reduced visibility across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois, and northeast Missouri through Saturday night.
According to the National Weather Service Quad Cities, a Winter Storm Watch covers Buchannan, Linn, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine, Jackson, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and surrounding Iowa counties, along with Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, and Putnam counties in Illinois. Snow is expected to advance from west to east after midnight Friday, becoming widespread by dawn Saturday and continuing much of the day. Totals of six inches or more are possible along and north of I-80 from Iowa City to the Quad Cities.
According to forecasters, periods of moderate to heavy snow may drop visibility quickly, especially on I-80, US-61, and IL-84. Winds near 25 mph may create areas of blowing snow in open fields east of Bettendorf and north toward Galena. Road crews expect rapidly slickening bridges and overpasses early Saturday morning, with hazardous travel lasting into Saturday night.
According to emergency managers, residents should prepare for difficult driving conditions and consider delaying trips until snowfall eases. Motorists should check tire tread, top off wiper fluid, and keep emergency supplies in their vehicles. Officials urge drivers to slow down, allow extra space between cars, and remain alert for sudden visibility drops. Homeowners should shovel in intervals to avoid heavy buildup and ensure pets and livestock have adequate shelter as temperatures fall into the 20s.
