Low clouds hang over the Mississippi River this morning as damp air spreads across the Quad Cities, setting up a cautious start to holiday travel.
Temperatures sit near 31 degrees, with drizzle expected to expand through the day and evening. According to the National Weather Service Quad Cities, fog may develop tonight, with visibility dropping to one-quarter mile at times, especially south of Interstate 80. That combination of drizzle and fog can make roads feel slick and unpredictable after dark.
For now, roads remain mostly wet rather than icy. Still, moisture settles quickly on bridges, ramps, and shaded streets. Drivers may notice sudden visibility drops along river crossings and rural highways.
Christmas Day begins with patchy fog, then turns mostly cloudy and mild. Highs reach the mid-40s, helping improve travel conditions by late morning. This window may be the best bet for local trips and short holiday drives.
Looking ahead, the pattern stays unusually warm. Sunshine returns Friday with highs near 51 degrees, followed by mid-50s warmth Saturday. That mild stretch supports smoother post-Christmas travel, allowing pavement to dry during daylight hours.
Conditions change again late in the weekend. By Sunday, colder air pushes south. Highs fall into the upper 30s, and any lingering moisture could flash freeze after sunset as temperatures drop sharply overnight. While snow chances remain low, even a thin glaze can increase crash risk.
Meteorologists stress that fog and refreezing, not snow, often cause the most holiday accidents in December.
Slow down tonight. Use low-beam headlights in fog. Plan ahead for the colder turn Sunday.
📅 Five-Day Outlook — Quad Cities (IA–IL)
- Today: Cloudy with patchy drizzle. High near 45°F
- Christmas Day: Patchy fog early, then cloudy. High near 45°F
- Friday: Partly sunny. High near 51°F
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy and mild. High near 55°F
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, colder. High near 37°F
