Weather in Des Moines

Planning your day in Des Moines or simply curious about the weather there? In this section, you will find up-to-date information on weather conditions, as well as forecasts and useful charts.

The climate in Des Moines is characterized as continental, with four distinct seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, allowing tourists to enjoy a variety of weather conditions depending on the time of their visit.

Winters in Des Moines (December-February) are quite cold, with average temperatures significantly below freezing, especially in January (average temperature -5.2°C). Spring (March-May) brings gradual warming, with May standing out as the month with the highest rainfall (5 mm) and rainy days (15). Summer (June-August) is warm and occasionally hot, with comfortable average temperatures in the range of 23-25°C, ideal for outdoor activities. Autumn (September-November) is characterized by a gradual decrease in temperature and moderate precipitation, creating picturesque landscapes.

Overall, the weather in Des Moines offers a diverse experience. Although precipitation is low throughout most of the year, the spring period, especially May, can be wetter. Travelers should consider these seasonal features when planning a trip to choose the most comfortable time to visit Des Moines.

The climate in Des Moines is characterized by significant seasonal temperature variations. The coldest month is usually January, with an average temperature of about -5.2°C, when nightly lows can drop to -9.4°C, and daily highs barely reach -1.0°C. In contrast, July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 24.8°C and daily highs often approaching 29.8°C. The annual temperature course shows clearly defined seasons, with a substantial difference between winter frosts and summer heat.

The summer months in Des Moines — June, July, and August — bring hot weather. Average daytime temperatures during this period range from 28.8°C to 29.8°C, creating conditions for true summer heat. Nights remain warm, with average minimum temperatures around 18-19°C. A characteristic feature of summer is the noticeable daily temperature fluctuation, where the difference between the daily high and nightly low can be around 10°C, providing some relief after the daytime heat.

Winter in Des Moines, especially in January and February, is quite frosty. Average temperatures stay significantly below freezing, with frequent night frosts reaching -8°C to -9°C. During the day in January, the thermometer rarely rises above -1.0°C, although thaws up to +1.8°C are possible in February. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are also palpable, amounting to 8-10°C. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with rapid temperature changes: March and April bring gradual warming, while September and October offer comfortable coolness before the onset of cold weather in November and December.

In Des Moines, precipitation is distributed throughout the year, but its intensity and frequency vary noticeably depending on the season. The wettest period is usually spring and early summer. May stands out as the rainiest month: on average, about 5 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of days with precipitation reaches 15. April (3 mm of precipitation, 10 wet days) and June (4 mm of precipitation, 10 wet days) are also characterized by relatively high humidity levels.

In winter, precipitation in Des Moines falls mainly as snow, especially from December to February. In January (average temperature -5.2°C) and February (average temperature -3.4°C), snowfalls are a common occurrence, although the total monthly precipitation during this period is small – about 1 mm. December, with an average temperature of about -0.2°C, is also a snowy month. In transitional months, such as November (average temperature 5.1°C) and March (average temperature 5.0°C), both rain and snow are possible, especially in early spring and late autumn.

In summer, in July and August, the amount of precipitation decreases slightly compared to spring, amounting to about 2 mm per month. Nevertheless, it rains quite regularly, about 9 days in each of these months, and can take the form of short-term downpours. In autumn, in September and October, an average of 3 mm of precipitation falls, with the number of rainy days being 8-9 per month. The driest months in terms of total precipitation are January, February, and December (1 mm each). The fewest number of days with precipitation is observed in February, November, and December – an average of 6 days each.

When planning a trip to Des Moines, it is important to consider the changeable weather characteristic of this region of the United States. The key is the principle of layering in clothing, as the temperature can fluctuate significantly during the day, especially in the transitional seasons. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes are a must, as you will likely be walking a lot while exploring the city. It is also worth taking an umbrella or a light waterproof jacket, as precipitation is possible year-round, with a peak of wet days in May.

For the winter months (December-February), when the average temperature drops below freezing, pack warm clothing: sweaters, fleece tops, thermal underwear, a winter jacket, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. In spring (March-May), the weather gradually warms up, but it can still be cool and rainy, so a mid-season jacket, jumpers, and waterproof shoes will come in handy. Summer (June-August) in Des Moines is warm, sometimes hot, so choose light, breathable clothing, and don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. A light sweater or cardigan may be needed for cool evenings or air-conditioned rooms.

In autumn (September-November), the temperature gradually decreases from pleasant warmth in September to coolness in November. Layered clothing is also relevant during this period: T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a jacket. Given the number of wet days, especially in early and mid-autumn, waterproof outerwear or an umbrella will be very useful. Regardless of the season, windy weather is not a dominant characteristic, but a light windbreaker can be useful in the off-season.