Iowa wakes to a gray, damp morning as fog clings to fields and drizzle dots windshields across the Quad Cities. Pavement stays wet early, and visibility drops at times, setting a cautious tone for the school and work commute.
According to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, one more cloudy day dominates the region, with patchy fog and occasional drizzle lingering through the morning. Temperatures remain mild for early January, climbing into the 40s and even upper 40s in spots.
That quiet setup doesn’t last. Meteorologists are now tracking several storm systems expected to bring widespread, beneficial rain beginning Thursday and continuing through Friday night. Rainfall totals average between 0.50 and 1.00 inch, with locally higher amounts possible across eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
Soils remain receptive, but impacts could still show up quickly. Rising rivers, ponding water on roads, and the risk of ice jam breakups are all being monitored. Low-lying areas near creeks and rivers should stay alert as rain continues.
Travel conditions deteriorate late week, especially after dark. As colder air pushes in from the northwest Friday night, rain may change to snow from northwest to southeast. Even light snow could combine with leftover moisture to create slick spots through the weekend.
Temperatures stay well above normal through midweek, which helps limit ice early. Still, melting during the day followed by nighttime cooling raises the risk of flash freezing on untreated roads late Friday and Saturday.
This stretch marks a classic January transition. Mild air gives way to winter’s next phase as 2026 settles in across the Midwest.
Five-Day Outlook for the Quad Cities (Davenport, IA / Moline, IL)
- Today: Fog and drizzle early, highs 41–48°
- Tonight: Foggy, lows 27–32°
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, warmer, highs 46–57°
- Thursday: Rain likely, highs 44–53°
- Friday: Rain changing to snow late, highs 39–47°
