Des Moines, IA Weather
Des Moines hourly forecast: next 24 hours
Today's high of 84°F (29°C) is right in line with the typical August high of 83°F (28°C).
Current conditions in detail
Des Moines weather tomorrow (Friday, August 7)
Tomorrow in Des Moines looks sunny, with a high of 95° and an overnight low of 65°. There is a 76% chance of rain - plan accordingly. Winds top out near 18 mph, and the UV index reaches 8 (very high).
Des Moines 14-day forecast
About the weather in Des Moines
Des Moines has a humid continental climate, marked by warm summers and cold, often snowy winters. Average daytime highs range from about 31°F (-1°C) in January to around 85°F (29°C) in July, and the city records roughly 106 days of measurable precipitation a year.
Des Moines weather: quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 85°F (29°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 31°F (-1°C)
- Record high: 101°F (38°C) · Record low: -23°F (-30°C) (2015–2024)
- Wettest month: May (14 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (12.7 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid continental - warm summers and cold, often snowy winters
- Snow: about 15 days a year
Temperatures through the year
The warmest stretch of the year centers on July. Highs average 85°F (29°C) and overnight lows stay near 68°F (20°C). The coolest month is January, with typical highs of 31°F (-1°C) and lows around 15°F (-9°C). Based on 2015–2024 weather data, temperatures have reached as high as 101°F (38°C) and dropped as low as -23°F (-30°C).
Rain, sun and snow
May is usually the wettest month. It brings about 5.3 inches (135 mm) of rain over 14 days, while February is the driest. July brings the most sunshine, averaging 12.7 hours of sun a day. Snow falls on about 15 days in a typical year, mostly from October through April.
Season by season
Spring (March through May)
Spring in Des Moines is crisp but comfortable, with daytime highs averaging 60°F (16°C) and nights around 42°F (6°C); expect showers on roughly 33 days across the season, plus around 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); expect showers on roughly 30 days across the season. With the humidity factored in, afternoons often feel hotter than the thermometer reads - run the numbers through the humidity and dew point converter to see why.
Fall (September through November)
Fall in Des Moines is mild, with daytime highs averaging 64°F (18°C) and nights around 47°F (8°C); expect showers on roughly 24 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in Des Moines is bitterly cold, with daytime highs averaging 35°F (2°C) and nights around 18°F (-8°C); expect showers on roughly 20 days across the season, plus around 10 snowy days. Wind makes those temperatures feel harsher than they sound - pair the forecast winds with the wind speed converter to judge conditions on exposed skin.
Average temperatures in Des Moines by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 15° | 7 | 1.6 in | 5.8 h/day | 75% |
| February | 36° | 17° | 6 | 1.3 in | 7.8 h/day | 68% |
| March | 50° | 31° | 8 | 2.8 in | 7.9 h/day | 66% |
| April | 60° | 41° | 10 | 3.5 in | 9.0 h/day | 63% |
| May | 72° | 53° | 14 | 5.3 in | 9.9 h/day | 69% |
| June | 83° | 65° | 11 | 4.6 in | 12.3 h/day | 67% |
| July | 85° | 68° | 9 | 3.9 in | 12.7 h/day | 71% |
| August | 83° | 66° | 10 | 3.5 in | 11.3 h/day | 71% |
| September | 78° | 61° | 8 | 3.4 in | 10.3 h/day | 68% |
| October | 64° | 47° | 8 | 3.6 in | 8.2 h/day | 64% |
| November | 49° | 33° | 7 | 2.1 in | 6.9 h/day | 68% |
| December | 39° | 24° | 6 | 1.9 in | 5.9 h/day | 70% |