You’ve seen it before. You wake up in Iowa City, look out the window at a grey, non-committal sky, and think you know exactly how the day is going to go. But then 4 PM hits, the wind shifts, and suddenly you’re rethinking your entire life—or at least your choice of jacket.
Weather in the 52245 is basically a personality trait at this point.
Honestly, the 10 day forecast Iowa City Iowa usually reads like a suspense novel. We’re currently sitting in the thick of January 2026, and if you haven't been paying attention to the barometric pressure, you're going to get caught out. Today, January 15, we're looking at a high of 32°F and a low that's going to dip down to 13°F. It’s classic Iowa: tease you with the freezing point during the day, then drop the floor out from under you once the sun goes down.
The Immediate Outlook: Shovels or Sunglasses?
If you’re planning your weekend, don’t put the heavy boots away yet. Tonight has a 35% chance of snow, and it’s not just a dusting. We’re talking about that wet, heavy stuff that makes the walk to the Englert Theatre feel like an Arctic expedition.
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Tomorrow, Friday the 16th, gets even weirder. The high is actually going to climb to 37°F. You might think, "Hey, a heatwave!" but the west wind at 18 mph is going to make that 37 feel like a slap in the face. Plus, there's a 25% chance of light snow during the day. It's that messy, slushy transition weather that ruins suede shoes.
- Saturday, Jan 17: High of 15°F. Yes, you read that right. We’re losing 22 degrees in 24 hours.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Slightly better at 25°F, but the overnight low is a bone-chilling 2°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Full sun, but don’t be fooled. The high is only 11°F. It’s the kind of bright, "fake" sunny day where the air literally hurts.
Why the 10 Day Forecast Iowa City Iowa Keeps Changing
People love to blame the meteorologists, but the reality is way more interesting. We are currently experiencing a weak La Niña pattern. According to Dr. Justin Glisan, the State Climatologist, these patterns make our storm tracks incredibly twitchy. One day the jet stream is pushing Canadian air straight into Johnson County, and the next, we’re getting a "warm" puff from the south.
It’s why our forecast for Tuesday, January 20, shows a bounce back to 32°F. We’re jumping from 11 degrees on Monday to 32 on Tuesday. That’s a 21-degree swing. If you have a headache, blame the front.
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Humidity and the "Real Feel"
One thing the apps often gloss over is the humidity. In Iowa City, January humidity averages around 58% to 71% right now. Most people think humidity is a summer problem, but in the winter, it’s what makes the cold "sink into your bones." When it’s 27°F out—which is exactly what it is right now—and the humidity is high, your body loses heat way faster than it would in a dry cold like you'd find in Colorado.
Looking Toward Next Week
As we move deeper into the 10-day window, things settle into a very predictable "grey" pattern.
Wednesday (Jan 21) and Thursday (Jan 22) are looking mostly cloudy with highs in the low 30s to mid 20s. It’s the "Great Grey Wall of Iowa" phase of winter. By Friday, Jan 23, we might see another round of snow showers with a high of 35°F.
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Basically, if you’re commuting on I-80 or just trying to get across the Pentacrest, Friday is your danger day for black ice. When the temp hovers right near 32, the ground stays frozen but the precipitation stays liquid-ish. That’s the recipe for a 10-car pileup or a very bruised tailbone.
Survival Steps for the Next 10 Days
Don't just check the number; check the wind direction. When the forecast says "Wind from the Northwest," like it does for Saturday at 17 mph, add an extra layer. Northwesters in Iowa City come straight off the plains with nothing to stop them until they hit your face.
- Seal the Windows: If you’re in one of those charming-but-drafty Northside apartments, get the plastic wrap out. Monday’s 2°F low will find every crack in your siding.
- Vehicle Check: With the low dipping to 2°F and 4°F this Sunday and Monday, your battery is going to struggle. If it’s more than three years old, get it tested at a shop on Riverside Drive before the weekend hits.
- Hydrate: It sounds weird, but the dry air inside your heated house combined with the wind outside will wreck your skin and energy levels.
The 10 day forecast Iowa City Iowa isn't just a set of numbers—it's a guide on how to dress so you don't end up miserable by lunchtime. Keep the salt handy for the Friday slush, and maybe stay inside with a book on Monday when the high doesn't even break the teens.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure you're looking at the "Feels Like" temperature rather than the raw high, especially for the upcoming shift on Saturday morning. You should also clear your gutters before the Friday snow-to-sun transition to prevent the inevitable ice dams that form when our temperatures see-saw like this.