Iowa City, Iowa 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

371
FXUS63 KDVN 191835
AFDDVN

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
135 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- While passing systems will bring shifting winds and
  fluctuating temperatures through next week, above normal
  temperatures and mostly dry conditions will prevail through
  the forecast period.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 120 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Weak area of low pressure will pass through our south this
afternoon, weakening further and pushing southeast into the evening.
Variable winds will result through the remainder of the afternoon,
with LLVL southwesterly flow increasing through tonight. A weak wave
will pass through our north late tonight into the early AM hours,
which will largely result in increasing cloud cover for our north
and wind direction change. With clouds and southwesterly flow
kicking in ahead, temperatures are expected to moderate in the 40s
throughout. Late tonight, we will start to see the weak surface
front associated with the wave move into our northwest, but plenty
of dry air will result in dry frontal passage. There remains some
uncertainty on fog potential tonight, as weak areas of convergence
remain draped over the area tonight. Some CAMs are hinting at the
potential, with fresh snowmelt providing moisture beneath the LLVL
inversion. Thus, patchy fog may be seen tonight, especially in river
valleys. Although, confidence remains low due to cloud cover passing
through.

Tomorrow, we will be on the backside of the wave that passed through
our north and in post-frontal northwesterly flow. Overall, it will
be a quiet close to the week that started off quite active and
wintry. Not only will it be quieter, but it will be quite beautiful
out there. While we are in a postfrontal airmass, the front will be
relatively weak and we will actually start to see increasing warm
advection through the day. Thus, temperatures will increase
quite a bit once again, bringing much of the area into the 60s,
with those south of I-80 seeing low-mid 70s! That will be quite
the change, a welcome one, when compared to the blizzard
conditions seen at the start of the work week. Enjoy the close
to the work week!

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 120 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

A largely quiet extended forecast is ahead of us, with
fluctuations in temperatures and winds. The overall pattern
going into this weekend is dominated by strong ridge that has
been setup over the western CONUS, ushering waves into the area
from a milder source region. Thus, we will continue to see
decent strong warm advection into the area, especially Saturday.
This whole weekend, we are expecting temperatures to remain
well above seasonal normals. Currently, Saturday is geared to be
the warmest with widespread upper 60s and 70s forecast. Not
only will we be mild, but we are also expecting light
southwesterly winds and mostly clear skies. Thus, we are in for
beautiful start to the weekend.

The unseasonably mild conditions continue into Sunday, with slightly
lower readings expected, owing to another wave passing through. The
wave coming through Sunday will be stronger, where we will feel
the difference in airmasses, especially on the backside of the
wave through the day Sunday and Monday. The aforementioned ridge
over the western CONUS starts to break down and traverse into
the southern CONUS. This will effectively cut us off from any
moisture. Thus, we will be severely lacking moisture as this
wave passes, resulting in dry frontal passage for most. Those in
our far north, closest to the best forcing, will have the best
chance for any precipitation, which still remains <15% chances.
Thus, mostly dry conditions through the second half of the
weekend. Winds will shift northwesterly and become quite breezy,
with gusts upwards to 20-30 mph.

Going into next week, the upper level pattern will generally become
northwesterly. This is a favorable pattern for more waves to push
into the Midwest through the next work week. Although, with the
flattened-out ridge remaining draped over the south, moisture will
remain an issue. Thus, we are advertising quiet weather for much of
next week at this time. Rather, we will be left with periods of
passing clouds, shifting winds, and fluctuating temperatures. We
will start the week in a post-frontal airmass, with temperatures
notable cooler than the weekend, yet still above seasonal norms.
Although, as waves continue to pass through midweek, bouts of warm
advection will allow for increasing temperatures again next week,
with 60s returning to the area by midweek. A stronger wave is
currently progged to move in during the second half of the week,
which is realized well amongst global/ensemble guidance. Guidance is
hinting at the chance for precipitation with this wave, but QPF
currently looks low, owing to insufficient moisture. Although, this
might be our next chance of precipitation in the extended. Until
then, enjoy the largely quiet and unseasonably mild temperatures
through the next week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1203 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period, with mostly
clear skies and light/variable winds through the first half of
the forecast period. After 06z, most sites will see winds out of
the southwest around 5-10 KTs, becoming northwesterly behind a
passing cold front after 12z. LLWS will be possible at CID/DBQ
tonight after 06z, generally out of the west at 40 KTs. We may
see these conditions reach MLI, but confidence is low.
Otherwise, no other sig wx is expected at this time.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...None.
IL...None.
MO...None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Gunkel
LONG TERM...Gunkel
AVIATION...Gunkel