Flood Watch
...The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Flood
Watch for the following rivers in Iowa...
Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr affecting Polk County.
* WHAT...Flooding is possible.
* WHERE...Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr, or from Walnut Creek
to the Des…
Flood Watch
...Forecast flooding changed to Minor severity and increased in
duration for the following rivers in Iowa...
Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr affecting Polk County.
* WHAT...Flooding is possible.
* WHERE...Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr, or from Walnut Creek
to the D…
Flood Watch
...The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Flood
Watch for the following rivers in Iowa...
Walnut Creek at Des Moines 63rd St affecting Polk County.
* WHAT...Flooding is possible.
* WHERE...Walnut Creek at Des Moines 63rd St, or from 1 1/3 miles
upstream of Nor…
Des Moines weather tomorrow (Wednesday, September 16)
Tomorrow in Des Moines looks
patchy rain nearby, with a high of 69°
and an overnight low of 61°.
There is a 81% chance of rain - plan accordingly.
Winds top out near 11 mph,
and the UV index reaches 6 (moderate).
A 30°C spread between its warmest and coolest months puts Des Moines among the more strongly seasonal places we cover. July averages 85°F (29°C) by day; January averages 31°F (-1°C), with nights at 15°F (-9°C).
Des Moines weather: quick facts
Hottest month: July - highs near 85°F (29°C)
Coldest month: January - highs near 31°F (-1°C)
Decade extremes (2015-2024): 101°F (38°C) high · -23°F (-30°C) low
Wettest month: May (14 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (12.7 h sun/day)
Climate type:humid continental
Annual swing: 30°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 10°C
Snow: about 15 days a year
Months with freezing average lows: 4
Average humidity: 68%
Temperatures through the year
Warmth peaks in July: highs of 85°F (29°C), lows of 68°F (20°C). January bottoms out at 31°F (-1°C) in daylight, 15°F (-9°C) after dark. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 101°F (38°C) and the lowest daily minimum -23°F (-30°C). Overnight lows average at or below freezing for 4 months, December through March.
Rain, sun and snow
Precipitation concentrates in May - 5.3 inches (135 mm) on 14 days - and thins out by February. Between the average July and the average January lie 30°C, a wider spread than 96% of the 3496 cities in our dataset.
Season by season
Spring (March through May)
Spring in Des Moines is mild, with daytime highs averaging 60°F (16°C) and nights around 42°F (6°C); rain falls on around 33 of the 90 days, plus about 3 snowy days.
Summer (June through August)
Summer in Des Moines is hot, with daytime highs averaging 84°F (29°C) and nights around 66°F (19°C); rain falls on around 30 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 12.1 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
Fall (September through November)
Through fall, Des Moines stays on the cool side of mild: 64°F (18°C) by day, 47°F (8°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 24 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Through winter, Des Moines is frigid: 35°F (2°C) by day, 18°F (-8°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 20 days across the season, plus about 10 snowy days. Wind sharpens cold like this considerably; pair the forecast winds with the wind speed converter to judge exposed conditions.
Average temperatures in Des Moines by month
Monthly averages for Des Moines based on 2015–2024 weather data.
9.0 hours a day averaged over the year, peaking in July at 12.7 hours.
When should I visit Des Moines?
Aim for August to October and April if you get the choice: these are the warmest and brightest weeks of the year, and highs average 74°F (23°C) against roughly 10 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in August.
Which month is wettest in Des Moines?
May, at 5.3 inches (135 mm) over about 14 days. February is the driest month, at 1.3 inches (34 mm).
When is Des Moines at its coldest?
January, with highs of 31°F (-1°C) and lows near 15°F (-9°C). The coldest day in the 2015-2024 record fell to -23°F (-30°C).
Does it snow in Des Moines?
Yes - about 15 days a year carry measurable snowfall, concentrated October through April.
What should I wear in Des Moines?
It depends on the month: July runs to 85°F (29°C) while January holds at 31°F (-1°C). The full month-by-month breakdown is in the packing notes above.
What is the hottest month in Des Moines?
July, averaging 85°F (29°C) by day and 68°F (20°C) overnight. The hottest single day in our 2015-2024 record for this location reached 101°F (38°C).