Iowa Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Iowa: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Iowa month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 14° | 1,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| February | 42° | 23° | 0,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 56° | 34° | 2,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 63° | 44° | 5,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 74° | 53° | 4,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 83° | 65° | 7,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 85° | 68° | 5,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 82° | 66° | 4,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 78° | 61° | 4,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 68° | 49° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 51° | 34° | 2,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 39° | 25° | 1,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
Climate type: Continental. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Iowa
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Iowa compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Iowa.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 122 mi | 54°F | about the same | 35 in |
| Nebraska | 169 mi | 55°F | +34°F warmer | 32 in |
| Kansas City | 179 mi | 58°F | +36°F warmer | 44 in |
| Kansas | 206 mi | 58°F | +37°F warmer | 40 in |
| Missouri | 222 mi | 58°F | +37°F warmer | 40 in |
Climate by city in Iowa
1 cities mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit Iowa
Go in May, August and October. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Iowa
Today is slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 72°F is 3.4°F above the 68°F typical for this month.
A 34% chance means rain is likely somewhere nearby at some point - carry a layer, but do not cancel.
No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 87°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- Layers - the daily swing is 58°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A packable rain shell - 4 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Iowa is a state in United States. Iowa is a US state with its capital at Des Moines. It has a population of about 3.2 million. The capital is Des Moines.
Right now it is 53°F (12°C) in Iowa with clear. It feels like 51°F. Today runs from 52°F to 72°F. Chance of precipitation is 34%. Sightseeing conditions score 8.3/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit Iowa is May, August and October. The climate is continental. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 85°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 14°F.
The closest major airport is O'Hare International Airport (ORD), about 296 mi away. Nearby highlights include Mississippi River and Starved Rock State Park.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for October. The forecast high of 72°F is 3.4°F above the 68°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 12 PM to 3 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. hiking is the strongest bet in Iowa today at 8.9/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Iowa
| Type | State |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 41°35′12.5″N 93°37′30″W (41.5868, -93.625) |
| Capital | Des Moines |
| Population | 3.200.000 |
| Area | 56.273 sq mi |
| Abbreviation | IA |
| Time zone | America/Chicago |
| Local time | 12:07 PM (UTC-05:00) |
| Best months | May, August and October |
| Climate | Continental |
Weather map for Iowa
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Iowa
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Iowa?
Iowa is a state in United States. Its coordinates are 41.5868, -93.625. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Iowa right now?
It is currently 53°F (12°C) with clear. Humidity is 86% and wind is 4 mph.
When is the best time to visit Iowa?
May, August and October offer the most comfortable conditions in Iowa, which has a continental climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Iowa in?
Iowa observes America/Chicago (UTC-05:00). The local time is 12:07 PM.
How many people live in Iowa?
Iowa has a population of approximately 3.2 million.
What is the nearest airport to Iowa?
The closest airports are O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 296 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Iowa?
Popular options include Mississippi River and Starved Rock State Park.
What places are in Iowa?
Iowa covers 1 places in this atlas, including Des Moines.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (us-states) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Official alerts | US National Weather Service. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
