Des Moines, IA – Cold air grips central Iowa this morning, and the sound of tires crunching over frost is a familiar warning — winter is here for real. A thin glaze of freezing drizzle on untreated pavement may catch drivers off guard, while temperatures plunge toward the single digits by Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, light freezing drizzle and flurries may continue early today, with only trace accumulation expected. Still, the risk of slick spots and black ice remains high, especially on bridges and shaded roads. As cold air deepens, wind chills between 15° and 25° below zero are expected late tonight through early Friday.
Drivers on I-35 and I-80 should use extra caution during the morning and evening commute periods. Even brief exposure to the wind could cause frostbite in minutes. Meteorologists urge residents to protect pets, check furnaces, and dress in multiple layers before heading out.
While skies clear Thursday, temperatures will struggle to reach 14°F. Friday brings modest improvement near 31°F, but the weekend stays cold and gray, with another chance for snow showers Saturday night into Sunday.
Five-Day Outlook for Des Moines, IA:
- Thursday: Sunny, high 14°F, wind chills below zero.
- Friday: Partly sunny, high 31°F.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 28°F, 40% chance of snow late.
- Sunday: Cloudy, high 24°F.
- Monday: Cold, mostly cloudy, high near 21°F.
