DES MOINES, CEDAR RAPIDS & IOWA CITY – If you thought we were done with winter, think again. Iowa’s weather is pulling one of its classic tricks this week—starting off mild and rainy before flipping back to cold, windy, and possibly even snowy by midweek.
Here’s what’s headed our way and when to brace for the biggest changes.
Sunday, March 3 – Calm Before the Storm
Not a bad way to start the week! Expect a mix of sun and clouds, with highs in the mid-to-upper 40s°F (8-9°C). It’ll feel pretty nice for early March.
Overnight lows drop into the low 30s°F (0-1°C), so it’ll be chilly, but nothing crazy.
Monday, March 4 – Mild, But Winds Start Picking Up
Monday keeps the mild trend going, with highs climbing into the low-to-mid 50s°F (11-12°C). But don’t let that fool you—winds will start picking up in the afternoon, giving you that “jacket or no jacket?” dilemma.
Overnight temps will stay in the upper 30s°F (3-4°C), so not too bad… for now.
Tuesday, March 5 – Bring the Rain Boots & Hold Onto Your Hat!
Tuesday is a full-on washout. A storm system will move through, bringing widespread rain, gusty winds, and some heavier downpours at times.
- Rain will stick around most of the day, so expect a soggy commute.
- Winds will be howling—especially in open areas.
- Highs will be mild in the upper 50s°F (14-16°C), but don’t get used to it.
By Tuesday night, temps drop fast into the upper 20s°F (-2 to -3°C), which means wet roads could start to freeze in spots.
Wednesday, March 6 – Back to Winter (Maybe Even Some Snow?)
Tuesday’s rain moves out, but colder air rushes in fast. Depending on how quickly the temperatures drop, we could see some lingering rain showers switch over to snow.
- Highs will struggle to get into the low 40s°F (4-5°C).
- It’ll be windy and feel even colder than the thermometer says.
- A few flurries or light snow showers are possible, but don’t expect much accumulation.
Overnight, we’re dropping into the 20s°F (-3 to -4°C), so bundle up!
Thursday, March 7 – Bright But Still Chilly
The rain and possible snow are gone, but don’t expect a warm-up just yet.
- The sun will come out, but highs will only hit the upper 30s°F (3-4°C).
- Still breezy, so it’ll feel even colder.
- Lows dip back toward freezing again.
Friday, March 8 – Another Round of Rain (Or Maybe a Wintry Mix?)
We could be in for another round of rain or even freezing rain Friday morning, depending on how temperatures behave overnight.
- If temps drop a little lower, roads could get slick early on.
- Highs stay in the mid-40s°F (6-8°C).
Weekend Outlook – A Little Better, But Still Chilly
Saturday, March 9: A few morning flurries are possible, especially in northern Iowa. Temps stay in the mid-30s°F (0-2°C), and another overnight freeze is possible.
Sunday, March 10: Finally, some sunshine! Highs might reach the low 40s°F (6°C), which at this point will feel like a heatwave.
How to Handle This Week’s Weather Without Losing Your Mind:
Tuesday is a Washout – Expect rain all day, gusty winds, and messy driving conditions.
Snowflakes Possible Wednesday – No big accumulation, but don’t be shocked if you see a few flurries.
Hold Onto Your Hats! – Tuesday and Wednesday will be WINDY, so secure loose outdoor items.
Watch for Icy Roads Wednesday Morning – If roads are still wet Tuesday night, they could freeze up overnight!
Check the Forecast Daily! – This is one of those weeks where things could change quickly, especially Friday’s possible wintry mix.
