A strong chill is rushing into the Mississippi River Valley this Halloween morning, kicking off a chilly weekend in which light rain may mix with snow before sunrise Saturday. Today, leaves will rattle in gusty west winds as the Quad Cities region transitions from late-fall warmth to its first taste of early-winter air.
According to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, Friday’s pleasant weather will give way to chilly air tonight, with temperatures dropping into the mid-30s. By Saturday morning, a mild disturbance moving along I-80 could cause scattered showers with a small risk of rain turning to wet flakes, primarily north of the city. Confidence is low, but any combination would be the season’s first trace of winter precipitation across eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
Roads should remain clear, but damp pavement and strong gusts may provide slick patches for early arrivals for trick-or-treat weekend events. Residents should secure outside decorations and prepare for temps 10-15 degrees lower than earlier this week.
By Sunday, skies will be largely sunny, with highs recovering into the mid-50s as daylight saving time ends. The milder stretch will last until early next week, providing ideal conditions for raking leaves, storing hoses, and cleaning furnace filters before the next cold wave.
Early long-range model indications point to a greater cold push late next week, with a higher possibility of measurable snowfall in the Upper Midwest. For the time being, the region can look forward to a crisp, breezy transition weekend that feels very much like November’s arrival.
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