You’ve stepped outside in Woodbury County and felt that sharp, crystalline bite in the air. It’s a specific kind of cold. January in the Loess Hills doesn’t just arrive; it settles into your marrow. Honestly, if you’re looking at the weather forecast for Sioux City Iowa right now, you’re seeing a classic mid-winter snapshot that demands respect and maybe an extra layer of wool.
Right now, it’s 17°F.
The wind is creeping in from the northwest at a deceptive 3 mph. It sounds calm, but in this part of the country, "calm" is just a prelude. Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 28°F. That’s the peak. By the time the sun dips behind the horizon, we’re heading back down to a low of 16°F.
The Mid-Week Reality Check
Most people assume Sioux City is just "cold" all winter. That’s a bit of a simplification. Today is actually starting out sunny, which is a nice psychological break from the gray slog of January. But don't let the brightness fool you. The humidity is sitting at 67% right now, and by tonight, those clear skies are going to be replaced by a thick blanket of clouds.
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There’s a slight 10% chance of snow today. Basically, it’s enough to make the windshields annoying but not enough to break out the heavy-duty snowblower.
Wind is the real story here. While the current 3 mph feels like nothing, the daily forecast is calling for north winds to ramp up to 17 mph. If you’ve spent any time near the Missouri River, you know exactly what a 17 mph north wind does to a 28-degree day. It’s the difference between "crisp" and "painful."
Why the Local Forecast Matters More Than the Apps
Kinda crazy how much the Loess Hills actually mess with our local patterns. You’ll see a forecast for "Sioux City" and think it covers everything from Sergeant Bluff up to North Sioux, but the elevation changes and the river valley create these weird little micro-pockets.
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- Current Temperature: 17°F
- Daytime High: 28°F
- Nighttime Low: 16°F
- Wind: 17 mph from the North (becoming blustery)
- Condition: Sunny turning to cloudy tonight
The UV index is a 1. You don't need sunscreen, obviously. But the humidity drop to 42% during the day means your skin is going to feel it. It’s that dry, itchy-sweater weather that defines mid-January.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
If we look at the historical data from the National Weather Service, January 14th is historically one of the clearer days of the month. We get clear or partly cloudy skies about 49% of the time today. Contrast that with the rest of the month where we’re stuck under an overcast ceiling 52% of the time. We’re actually in a bit of a lucky streak with the sun today, even if the "warmth" is a total myth.
The average high for Sioux City this time of year is usually around 30°F. We’re sitting just a couple of degrees below that at 28°F. It’s not a record-breaker—the record low for January in this region is a terrifying -35°F set back in 1912—but it’s enough to keep the salt trucks on standby.
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Honestly, the weather forecast for Sioux City Iowa is all about the "feels like" factor. When you factor in that 17 mph wind, that 28-degree high is going to feel significantly lower. We call it blustery for a reason.
Survival Tactics for the Next 24 Hours
If you’re heading out to the Orpheum or just grabbing groceries at Hy-Vee, keep the heavy coat handy for the evening. The transition from a sunny 28°F to a cloudy, windy 16°F happens fast.
- Check your tire pressure. This kind of temperature swing—from the teens to nearly 30 and back—is notorious for triggering those annoying sensors.
- Hydrate. Sounds weird for winter, but the 42% humidity will dry you out faster than a July afternoon.
- Watch the north wind. If you're driving high-profile vehicles on I-29, those 17 mph gusts can be a bit of a literal push.
Tomorrow looks like it might hold some more cloud cover, so soak up the vitamin D while the sun is still out this afternoon. Stay warm, Sioux City. It’s a long way to April.
Actionable Insights:
Check your outdoor pipes today while it's sunny and relatively "warm" at 28°F. As the wind picks up tonight and the temperature drops back toward 16°F, any existing cracks or vulnerabilities in your insulation will be exposed. If you haven't swapped your wiper fluid for the de-icer version yet, do it before the sun goes down and the clouds move in.