If you’ve spent any time in Siouxland, you know that the "nice" days in mid-January are usually a trap. Honestly, looking at the current Sioux City weather forecast, we are smack in the middle of that classic Iowa bait-and-switch. One minute it's a manageable 33°F, and the next, you’re looking at a wind chill that makes you question your life choices.
Right now, as of Friday morning, January 16, 2026, things are getting weird. We've got a Winter Weather Advisory that kicked in at midnight and isn't letting up until 6:00 PM tonight. Basically, if you were planning a smooth commute, the atmosphere has other ideas.
The Reality of the Current Sioux City Weather Forecast
The numbers on the screen rarely tell the whole story. You see 32°F for a high today and think, "Hey, that’s not bad for January." But then you see that overnight low of 6°F. That is a massive 26-degree drop in a single day.
Northwest winds are currently sustained at 16 mph but are expected to crank up to between 25 and 35 mph during the day. We’ve already seen gusts hitting 45 mph in the region. When the wind moves that fast across the Loess Hills, it doesn't just feel cold—it feels like the air is trying to take a bite out of you.
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Why the "Feels Like" Temperature is the Only One That Matters
- Current Temp: 33°F
- Wind Chill: 23°F
- Visibility: 10 miles (for now)
That 23°F "feels like" temp is the warmest you’re going to be all day. By tonight, with those north-northwest winds sticking around at 20 to 30 mph, the wind chill is going to tank. We are looking at a "hazardous cold" period through Monday morning where wind chills across Iowa could dip as low as -25°F.
Snow Squalls: The 2026 Commute Killer
There is a 25% chance of snow today, which sounds low until you realize it’s coming in the form of snow squalls.
These aren't your typical "gentle dusting" events. According to the National Weather Service, these are intense bursts of snow that can cause whiteout conditions in seconds. If you’re driving on I-29 or Highway 75 between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, you could go from clear skies to zero visibility before you can even find your defrost button.
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Meteorologists from local stations like KTIV News 4 have been hammering on this all morning: if you get caught in a squall, don't slam on your brakes. Slow down gradually and get those lights on.
What’s Happening Over the Weekend?
Saturday isn't looking much better. While the snow chances drop, the temperature is going to stay stubborn. We are moving into a "partly cloudy" phase tonight, but the cold is settling in for a long stay.
The humidity is currently sitting at 62%, which is actually somewhat dry for a Sioux City winter night. Usually, when the humidity is higher, the cold feels "wetter" and more bone-chilling. Small favors, I guess.
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How to Handle This Mess
If you're new to the area or just haven't looked at a Sioux City weather forecast in a few days, here is the move.
First, check your car kit. Ryan De Kruyf, the Sioux County EMA Coordinator, recently pointed out that local departments are ramping up preparedness for stuff exactly like this. He’s been pushing for better drone tech to help with disaster assessment, but for the average person, it comes down to the basics: a real coat, actual gloves, and a full tank of gas.
Second, watch the wind direction. Everything is coming from the northwest today. That means any snow that falls is going to blow and drift, especially on east-west roads.
Actionable Insights for the Next 48 Hours:
- Layer up before 10:00 AM: The temp will start dropping early as the front moves through.
- Secure the loose stuff: 45 mph gusts will turn your empty trash cans into low-altitude projectiles.
- Check the pipes: If you’re in an older house near the Northside, that 6°F low tonight is the kind of temp that finds the weak spots in your insulation.
- Monitor the "First Alert": Use apps that provide high-resolution radar (like the 250-meter resolution stuff) because these squalls are small and move fast.
The Missouri River runoff is actually predicted to be near average this year (around 24.5 MAF), which is good news for long-term moisture, but it doesn't help you much when you're scraping ice off your windshield at 6:00 AM.
Stay safe out there. January in Sioux City is a marathon, not a sprint, and today is definitely one of those "stay inside and order pizza" kind of days.