Residents across a large portion of eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois should prepare for gusty winds and scattered snow showers this morning as a cold front moves through the region.
The affected area includes Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Benton, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, Muscatine, Scott, Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, and Lee counties in Iowa, as well as Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, Putnam, Mercer, Henderson, Warren, Hancock, and McDonough counties in Illinois.
Cities within the impacted area include Independence, Manchester, Dubuque, Vinton, Cedar Rapids, Anamosa, Maquoketa, Marengo, Iowa City, Tipton, Clinton, Muscatine, Davenport, Bettendorf, Sigourney, Washington, Wapello, Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Fort Madison, Galena, Freeport, Mount Carroll, Sterling, Moline, Rock Island, Geneseo, Princeton, Hennepin, Aledo, Oquawka, Monmouth, Carthage, and Macomb.
Behind the front, northwest winds will increase, with sustained speeds ranging from 15 to 25 mph and gusts commonly reaching 35 to 40 mph. A few isolated gusts near 45 mph cannot be ruled out. Motorists operating high-profile vehicles, including vans, campers, and trailers, are urged to use caution, particularly on east–west roadways. Residents should also ensure that loose outdoor items are secured. Winds are expected to gradually diminish later this afternoon.
In addition to the wind, snow showers may develop north and east of a line from Manchester, Iowa, to Cambridge, Illinois. While no accumulation is anticipated, brief visibility reductions to 1–2 miles and isolated slick spots may occur during the most intense showers this morning.
Conditions are expected to improve as the morning progresses, with quieter weather developing later in the day.
