Iowa – Fog hangs low over fields and highways this morning, dimming headlights and leaving slick patches across Des Moines just as Thanksgiving Travel begins accelerating. The damp air feels heavy, carrying that late-November chill as traffic builds along I-80, I-35, and Route 65. Drivers should prepare for reduced visibility and shifting pavement conditions through the late morning, especially while winds begin strengthening.
According to the National Weather Service, dense fog remains possible through midmorning before breezy conditions take over. A west wind increases steadily and reaches gusts up to 45 mph tonight into Wednesday. Those gusts may rattle vehicles, especially on elevated stretches of I-80 and open farmland corridors. Travelers heading out early for Thanksgiving gatherings should add extra time and watch for low-visibility pockets where the fog fades unevenly.
The pattern hints at a Winter Tease. Temperatures slide from the upper 30s Wednesday into the 20s at night, creating a sharper cold edge that could support early snow later this week. Forecast models continue signaling a broader nationwide cold front sweeping east from Thanksgiving Day into early December — a setup that may produce heavy snow in parts of the upper Midwest and Northeast. While Des Moines avoids major accumulation for now, Friday evening carries a chance of accumulating snow, especially if moisture lingers with falling temperatures.
Thanksgiving Day itself looks bright and manageable, with sunny skies and highs in the mid-30s. The air feels crisp but travel-friendly. Black Friday shoppers should bundle up for morning temperatures in the teens, though roads stay dry until later in the day.
Five-Day Outlook
Wednesday: Sunny, breezy, 38°.
Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, 36°.
Friday: Snow chance late, 31°.
Saturday: Snow likely, 32°.
Sunday: Rain/snow mix, 32°.
