Des Moines Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Des Moines: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Des Moines 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° | 15° | 1,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| February | 42° | 23° | 0,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 56° | 35° | 2,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 63° | 45° | 5,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 74° | 53° | 4,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 83° | 65° | 7,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| July | 85° | 69° | 5,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 83° | 66° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 79° | 60° | 1,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 67° | 50° | 3,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 50° | 35° | 2,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 39° | 25° | 1,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
Climate type: Continental. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Des Moines
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Des Moines compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Des Moines.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 122 mi | 54°F | +33°F warmer | 30 in |
| Nebraska | 169 mi | 55°F | +34°F warmer | 30 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 |
Best time to visit Des Moines
Go in August, September 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 Des Moines
Today is about average for September. The forecast high of 78°F is in line with the 79°F typical for this month.
A 39% chance means rain is likely somewhere nearby at some point - carry a layer, but do not cancel.
Visibility is down to 0,2 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance.
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
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 68°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A packable rain shell - 3 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
Des Moines is a city in Iowa. Des Moines is known for State fair and river walk. It has a population of about 215.000.
Right now it is 74°F (24°C) in Des Moines with overcast. It feels like 80°F. Today runs from 68°F to 78°F. Chance of precipitation is 39%. Sightseeing conditions score 6.3/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Des Moines is August, September 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 15°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 about average for September. The forecast high of 78°F is in line with the 79°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. fishing is the strongest bet in Des Moines today at 9.4/10. Visibility is down to 0,2 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Des Moines
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| State | Iowa |
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 41°35′12.5″N 93°37′30″W (41.5868, -93.625) |
| Population | 215.000 |
| Known for | State fair and river walk |
| Local time | 7:58 PM (UTC-05:00) |
| Best months | August, September and October |
| Climate | Continental |
Weather map for Des Moines
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 Des Moines
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 Des Moines?
Des Moines is a city in Iowa. Its coordinates are 41.5868, -93.625. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Des Moines right now?
It is currently 74°F (24°C) with overcast. Humidity is 88% and wind is 6 mph.
When is the best time to visit Des Moines?
August, September and October offer the most comfortable conditions in Des Moines, which has a continental climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Des Moines in?
Des Moines observes America/Chicago (UTC-05:00). The local time is 7:58 PM.
How many people live in Des Moines?
Des Moines has a population of approximately 215.000.
What is the nearest airport to Des Moines?
The closest airports are O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 296 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Des Moines?
Popular options include Mississippi River and Starved Rock State Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-us) - 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 September 17, 2026 at 7:58 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
