Des Moines, IA – Iowans may be heading into a wetter and potentially wintry Thanksgiving travel period, as new long-range federal outlooks show above-normal precipitation statewide from November 23 through November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook released Saturday, Iowa sits squarely within a 40–50% probability zone for wetter-than-normal conditions. The state also lies just southeast of a strengthening early-season cold pool across the northern Plains—a common setup that can lead to late-November rain-to-snow transitions.
Northern and western Iowa—including Sioux City, Fort Dodge, and Mason City—could be positioned closest to colder air, creating a higher likelihood for wet snow or mixed precipitation if storm systems track favorably. Historically, this region often sees the earliest Thanksgiving-season snow when moisture and marginal temperatures overlap.
Central Iowa, including Des Moines and Ames, sits in the same elevated precipitation zone, but temperature swings could determine whether upcoming systems fall as cold rain, slush, or wet snow. Even modest precipitation can affect holiday travel speeds on I-35 and I-80.
Eastern cities such as Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Davenport also carry the above-normal precipitation signal, though temperatures there may lean slightly warmer depending on the timing of any mid- or late-week systems.
Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods across the state, and even brief periods of snow or cold rain can lead to slower commutes and highway congestion. Air travel may also face potential impacts depending on how closely systems track near regional airports.
Forecasters emphasize that details on specific snow amounts and timing remain uncertain until short-range models begin resolving individual systems early next week.
Travelers across Iowa should check frequently for forecast updates as the holiday window approaches.
