If you’ve lived in Adams County for more than a week, you know the drill. The sky looks one way at breakfast and completely forgets its personality by lunch. Right now, the forecast for Quincy Illinois is doing that classic January dance where the thermometer can’t quite decide if it wants to be "coat weather" or "stay inside and hide" weather. Honestly, looking at the data from the National Weather Service in St. Louis and the local readings at Baldwin Field, we are staring down a pretty temperamental week.
It’s currently Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The wind is the real story today. We’re seeing gusts hitting up to 39 mph. That’s enough to make the 37-degree high feel a whole lot more like a 20-degree slap in the face. If you're heading out to Maine Street or hitting the shops at Quincy Town Center, hold onto your hat. Literally.
The Week Ahead: A Quick Breakdown
Tomorrow, Thursday, is looking a bit quieter during the day. We’ll see a high near 34. But don't get comfortable. By Thursday night, there’s a 40% chance of snow. It’s not looking like a blizzard—more of a "dusting that makes the commute annoying" type of situation.
🔗 Read more: Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten Firm Vitamin C Serum Explained (Simply)
- Wednesday Night: Low around 16. Clear but chilly.
- Thursday: High of 33, clouds moving in late.
- Friday: This is where it gets messy. Light snow likely, high near 38.
- Saturday: A sharp drop. High of only 21 degrees.
Basically, Friday is the pivot point. We have a mix of light snow and snow showers moving through. Because the temperature is hovering near 38, it might start as a slushy mess before the "Polar Vortex" lite kicks in on Saturday. By the time Sunday rolls around, we’re looking at a high of 28 but a low that could dip into the single digits (around 9 or 10 degrees).
River Levels and Regional Vibes
The Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 21 is currently sitting pretty low. As of this morning, the stage is around 5.4 feet. For context, flood stage doesn't even start until 18 feet. So, while we might get some flakes, we aren't worried about the river jumping its banks anytime soon.
There's been a lot of talk about the 2026 winter being milder than usual. The Old Farmer’s Almanac sort of called it, predicting above-normal temps for this stretch. However, "warmer than normal" in Illinois still means you're going to want a heavy parka by the time Monday, January 19 (MLK Day) arrives. We're expecting a high of only 20 degrees that day.
💡 You might also like: Double Sided Ribbon Satin: Why the Pro Crafters Always Reach for the Good Stuff
What Most People Get Wrong About Quincy Winters
A lot of folks think that because we're in the "Heartland," we just get constant, heavy snow from December to March. That’s rarely the case. Quincy often sits in this weird transition zone. One day it’s 50 degrees (like it was just a few days ago on Jan 8th), and the next day it's a frozen tundra.
The real danger here isn't usually the total snowfall; it's the ice. When we have these 38-degree days followed by 17-degree nights, the "Quincy Freeze" happens. The slush on the roads turns into a sheet of glass. If you're driving down the hills toward the riverfront, you've gotta be careful. Salt trucks usually do a good job on Broadway and 24th, but the side streets can be a gamble.
- Check your tire pressure tonight. These 20-degree swings cause that "low pressure" light to pop on.
- If you haven't winterized your outdoor spigots, do it before Saturday night's 9-degree low.
- Keep a scraper in the car for Friday morning.
The Long-Range Outlook
Looking further into next week, the forecast for Quincy Illinois suggests a slow recovery. Tuesday, Jan 20, might see us back in the high 20s. It’s not exactly tropical, but it beats the single-digit wind chills.
📖 Related: Dining room layout ideas that actually work for real life
Kinda feels like winter is finally deciding to show up after a weirdly mild start to the month. We saw those thunderstorms on Jan 8th—which is super weird for January—but now the Arctic air is reclaiming its territory.
Stay warm, keep the windshield fluid topped off, and maybe grab an extra bag of salt for the driveway before the Friday snow hits. You’ll thank yourself when you aren't sliding across the pavement on Saturday morning.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your emergency car kit: Ensure you have a blanket and a flashlight before the temps drop to 9°F on Sunday night.
- Monitor the Thursday night snow: Check local radar around 8:00 PM Thursday to see if the 40% snow chance is trending higher for your specific neighborhood.
- Drain outdoor hoses: With a low of 16°F tonight, any remaining water in garden hoses will freeze and potentially damage your fixtures.