Rain, Snow, 'Flash Freeze': Des Moines Area Forecast

DES MOINES, IA — Another round of bone-chilling cold will move into central Iowa overnight as temperatures drop following a high of 24 around midnight. The National Weather Service also expects a winter storm that will bring snow to western to northern Iowa late tonight into Thursday to lead to rain over central and southern Iowa late tonight and continue into the overnight hours.

Tonight will be foggy after 10 p.m., with rain starting around 2 a.m. Rain will continue Thursday morning, possibly mixed with freezing rain before noon. Snow is possible between noon and 4 p.m. Thursday, with a high around 7 and wind chills of -15 by the evening commute.

"Expect a rapid transition from rain to snow during the morning commute Thursday," the weather service Des Moines office forecasts. "With the rapid drop in temperatures Thursday morning, a flash freeze is possible on roads, bridges, and sidewalks resulting in dangerous travel at times."

Northwest winds could increase in the range of 25 to near 40 mph Thursday morning and will continue through much of the day Thursday, causing the potential for blowing snow. Bitter cold temperatures and wind chills will settle into the state by Friday morning and continue into the weekend; expect wind chill values as low as -15 to -30 at times.

The next chance of snow is expected Sunday.

Image via National Weather Service Des Moines office