Good morning! A lot on the docket as we begin with some freezing fog and black ice. We have quite a bit of moisture on the road surfaces and since temperatures are below freezing, that moisture is freezing, which is causing black ice. In addition, there is fog out there. As these super-cooled water droplets drop onto surfaces that are below freezing, ice will form. Please watch for slick spots, especially where the visibility is low.
The freezing fog and black ice situation will go away by 10am this morning. Today's high will reach up to 41 degrees.
All eyes are on a significant winter storm that will affect Iowa late tonight through early Wednesday morning. For us, we will be on the warmer side of the storm. But we still expect some impacts!
A little light wintry mix will develop late tonight into Tuesday morning. Some slick spots are possible. As we head into the commute, temperatures will rise above freezing. Rain will be likely on Tuesday with some areas of heavy rainfall. Amounts could surpass a half inch in spots...very heavy for winter standards.
While rain falls here, 6-12 inches of snow is forecast from Omaha through Des Moines and up to Waterloo. Blizzard Warnings are out for much of Central Iowa. By the time we get cold enough for snow, the precipitation will be almost done. I suppose an inch could fall here in the Quad Cities. But Cedar and Dubuque County could get several inches. That's why it's important to pay attention to the weather, especially if you're traveling west of here.
With a half inch of rain coming to the Quad Cities, the Rock River could see some dramatic rises. That's because an ice jam is still occurring. As the rain falls onto frozen ground which flows toward the river, the ice will impede the flow. Be mindful if you live along or drive near the Rock through the week.
-Meteorologist Eric Sorensen
