Davenport, Iowa – New long-range federal climate guidance suggests February 2026 could bring above-normal snowfall across eastern Iowa, increasing the potential for winter weather impacts in the region.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), eastern Iowa is included in a broad corridor of elevated snowfall probabilities extending from the Upper Midwest into the Northeast. The outlook points to a higher likelihood of more frequent or longer-duration snow events compared to typical February conditions.
Areas along and east of the Interstate 35 corridor, including communities near the Mississippi River, show a stronger signal for increased snowfall potential than western portions of the state. This pattern aligns with favored winter storm tracks that often impact eastern Iowa during active February periods.
CPC monthly outlooks do not provide specific snowfall totals or storm timing. Instead, they evaluate how total snowfall during the month may compare to long-term averages. For February 2026, the guidance suggests cumulative snowfall or the number of snow events could exceed normal levels across eastern Iowa.
Temperature outlooks for February show near-normal conditions across much of Iowa. In eastern Iowa, this temperature profile supports snow rather than rain or mixed precipitation during most systems, particularly overnight and during stronger cold-air intrusions. Forecasters note that near-average temperatures combined with increased storm frequency often support persistent snow cover and repeated travel disruptions.
Neighboring regions including Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Missouri are also included in the above-normal snowfall zone, reinforcing confidence in a regional winter pattern rather than isolated systems.
Commuters, students, and freight operators across eastern Iowa are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, when outlooks are refined and confidence increases closer to the season.
