Winter in Dallas County is rarely a quiet affair. If you've spent even one season here, you know the drill: one day you’re looking for your sunglasses, and the next you’re digging out the heavy-duty ice scraper. Right now, the weather forecast Perry Iowa is throwing us a bit of a curveball. We’ve just come off a surprisingly mild stretch, but the atmosphere is basically hitting the reset button as we move through the middle of January 2026.
Honestly, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the flickering numbers on a weather app. Is it a "light jacket" 28 degrees or a "stay inside and drink cocoa" 28 degrees? In Iowa, the wind usually makes that decision for us. Today, Wednesday, January 14, we are looking at a high of 26°F. That sounds manageable until you factor in the north winds whipping at 22 mph. It’s going to feel a lot more like 13°F.
The sun is out for now, which is a nice treat, but don't let it fool you into thinking the heater can take a break.
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The Immediate Outlook: Cold Snaps and "Clipper" Systems
By tonight, things get a little gloomier. We’re expecting clouds to roll in and the temperature to bottom out around 15°F. If you’re a commuter heading toward Des Moines or taking Highway 141 early tomorrow, keep an eye on the sky. There’s a slight 10% chance of some stray snow flurries tonight, though nothing that should require the plow quite yet.
Tomorrow, Thursday, is when the pattern shifts. We’re looking at a high near 31°F, but the real story is the 20% to 30% chance of snow arriving after noon.
It’s what meteorologists often call a "clipper" system. These are fast-moving disturbances that drop down from Canada. They don't always bring feet of snow, but they can be incredibly annoying. They tend to drop a quick inch or two of powdery snow right during the evening rush hour, turning the roads into a skating rink before the salt trucks can even get out of the garage.
What the Next Few Days Look Like
- Friday, Jan 16: This is the day to watch. We have a 40% chance of snow with a high of 34°F. It’s that "wet" snow that’s great for snowmen but terrible for your lower back when you have to shovel it.
- The Weekend: Brace yourself. Once that Friday system passes, the "Arctic gate" opens. Saturday’s high is only 20°F, and Sunday night could see us dipping into the single digits.
- Next Week: Early signals suggest we might see a brief "January Thaw" around Tuesday with highs hitting the 50s, but it'll be short-lived.
Why Central Iowa Weather is So Unpredictable Right Now
You might be wondering why we’re jumping from the 50s earlier this week down to the 20s. It’s mostly due to a weak La Niña pattern that’s been hanging around all winter. Usually, La Niña means the northern U.S. gets colder and wetter, while the south stays dry. Perry sits right on the edge of that transition zone.
Because the La Niña is weak this year, the jet stream is wobbling. Think of it like a garden hose that’s lost its pressure; it starts snaking around unpredictably. One day the hose is pointing warm air from the Southwest toward us, and the next, it’s pulling a direct line of frozen air from the Yukon.
According to the National Weather Service in Johnston, this "seesaw" effect is likely to continue through the rest of the month. We aren't seeing signs of a massive, week-long blizzard yet, but the frequent "clippers" mean you should probably keep a bag of ice melt by the front door just in case.
Staying Safe on Dallas County Roads
The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has already noted that while main highways like I-80 and Highway 169 are mostly clear today, isolated frozen spots are a constant threat. When temperatures hover near that 32-degree mark, "black ice" becomes the primary villain.
Basically, the road looks wet, but it's actually a thin sheet of transparent ice. If you’re driving over bridges or overpasses near the Raccoon River, slow down. Those surfaces freeze way faster than the solid ground because they have cold air circulating both above and below the pavement.
Pro tip for Perry locals: Check the Iowa 511 app before you head out, especially on Friday. It’s way more accurate for real-time road conditions than just looking out your kitchen window.
Looking Toward February: Will it Ever End?
The long-range outlook from the Farmers' Almanac and NOAA suggests that the end of January might get pretty "frigid." We're talking about a potential snowstorm in the final week of the month followed by a deep freeze.
But there’s a silver lining. February is actually trending a bit warmer than average for our part of the Heartland. While we might have to deal with some messy rain/snow mixes, we likely won't be stuck in a sub-zero "Polar Vortex" for weeks on end like we’ve seen in years past.
Your Winter Readiness Checklist
Since the weather is turning colder and snowier over the next 48 hours, here are some practical steps you can take today while it's still sunny:
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
Cold air makes tire pressure drop. If your "low tire" light hasn't come on yet, it probably will by Saturday morning when we hit those single digits. Fill them up now so you aren't shivering at the gas station air pump later.
2. Survival Kit Check
If you're driving out of town, make sure you have a heavy blanket, a portable phone charger, and maybe some granola bars in the car. It sounds dramatic until you're stuck behind a jackknifed semi on a snowy rural road for three hours.
3. Home Prep
With the wind gusts expected to hit 35 mph tonight, walk around your yard. If you left any light patio furniture or empty planters out during that warm spell, they’re going to end up in your neighbor's yard by morning.
4. Protect the Pipes
When we hit those single-digit lows Sunday night, make sure your outdoor hoses are disconnected. If you have a particularly cold spot in your house (like a kitchen sink on an outside wall), leave the cabinet doors open to let the room's heat reach the pipes.
Winter in Perry is all about being flexible. We’re in the thick of it now, so keep the heavy coat handy and stay weather-aware. The forecast can change in a heartbeat when those Great Plains winds start picking up.