Des Moines, United States experiences average highs of 16°C (61°F) and lows of 7°C (45°F) throughout the year. Rainfall is moderate, averaging about 9 rainy days per month. Sunshine is abundant, averaging about 9 hours per day. Average highs have stayed broadly stable across the available records.
Des Moines, United States Weather & Climate 2026
Monthly climate averages for Des Moines, United States. Based on 10-year ERA5 reanalysis data.
Climate Overview
Drier season: Jan–Dec 
Wetter season: Mar–Oct At-a-Glance Climate Summary
Live Weather & Air Quality
Key figures
Climate Score
5.5/10
Best: May, June, July, August, September
UV Index
6
High
Temperature 16°C / 7°C
Feels Like 15°C / 4°C
Rainy Days 9
Rainfall 76 mm
Sunshine 9 h
Humidity 68%
Wind Speed 21 km/h
Dew Point 6°C
Frost Days 16 days
Hottest Month
30°C
July
Avg Low20°C
Rain9days
Coldest Month
-9°C
January
Avg High0°C
Rain7days
Driest Month
5days
February
Avg High3°C
Avg Low-7°C
Windiest Month
26 km/h
April (Gusts 49)
Worst Time to Visit
Consider avoiding January, February, March, December due to very cold temperatures.
Sun Position
Sunrise 05:41
Daylight 15.2h
Sunset 20:52
Live conditions—
Des Moines on the map · live conditions
Des Moines, United States
- Continent
- Americas
- Country
- United States
- City
- Des Moines
- Population
- 214.1K
- Elevation
- 266 m
- Coordinates
- 41.60°, -93.61°
Seasonal Breakdown
Spring
Mar–May
Avg High 17°C
Avg Low 6°C
Rain 11 days/mo
1/3 best months
Summer
Jun–Aug
Avg High 29°C
Avg Low 19°C
Rain 9 days/mo
3/3 best months
Autumn
Sep–Nov
Avg High 18°C
Avg Low 9°C
Rain 8 days/mo
1/3 best months
Winter
Dec–Feb
Avg High 2°C
Avg Low -7°C
Rain 6 days/mo
Climate Charts
Based on historical averages (2016–2025)
Monthly Temperatures
HighLowShaded bands show the typical range across the available yearly records.
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 0°C / -9°C . Feb: 3°C / -7°C . Mar: 11°C / 0°C . Apr: 17°C / 5°C . May: 22°C / 12°C . Jun: 29°C / 19°C . Jul: 30°C / 20°C . Aug: 29°C / 19°C . Sep: 26°C / 16°C . Oct: 18°C / 9°C . Nov: 10°C / 1°C . Dec: 4°C / -5°C .
Monthly Rainfall
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 39 mm. Feb: 31 mm. Mar: 78 mm. Apr: 84 mm. May: 142 mm. Jun: 111 mm. Jul: 89 mm. Aug: 75 mm. Sep: 87 mm. Oct: 93 mm. Nov: 44 mm. Dec: 38 mm.
Monthly Humidity
Humidity
Line chart showing monthly humidity. Jan: 74%. Feb: 68%. Mar: 66%. Apr: 63%. May: 68%. Jun: 67%. Jul: 71%. Aug: 70%. Sep: 68%. Oct: 63%. Nov: 67%. Dec: 70%.
Monthly Wind Speed
Wind SpeedGusts
Bar chart showing monthly wind speed. Jan: 22 km/h . Feb: 23 km/h . Mar: 24 km/h . Apr: 26 km/h . May: 21 km/h . Jun: 20 km/h . Jul: 17 km/h . Aug: 17 km/h . Sep: 19 km/h . Oct: 23 km/h . Nov: 23 km/h . Dec: 22 km/h .
Sunshine
Sunshine
Sunshine: Jan: 6h. Feb: 8h. Mar: 8h. Apr: 9h. May: 10h. Jun: 12h. Jul: 12h. Aug: 11h. Sep: 10h. Oct: 8h. Nov: 7h. Dec: 6h.
UV Index
UV Index
Bar chart showing monthly UV index. Jan: UV 3. Feb: UV 5. Mar: UV 6. Apr: UV 7. May: UV 8. Jun: UV 10. Jul: UV 9. Aug: UV 8. Sep: UV 7. Oct: UV 5. Nov: UV 3. Dec: UV 3.
Monthly Daylight Hours
Daylight12h reference
Monthly Dew Point & Comfort
Dew Point Dry Comfortable Humid Muggy Oppressive
Month-by-Month Weather Table
January
Poor 
February
Poor March
Poor April
Fair May best
Good June best
Excellent July best
Excellent August best
Excellent September best
Excellent October
Good November
Poor December
Poor | Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | UV | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C / -9°C | -5°C / -14°C | 7days (39 mm) Good | 5.8h Fair | 74% Muggy | 3.1 Moderate | Poor | View Details |
| February | 3°C / -7°C | -2°C / -13°C | 5days (31 mm) Good | 7.5h Good | 68% Muggy | 4.8 Moderate | Poor | View Details |
| March | 11°C / 0°C | 7°C / -4°C | 10days (78 mm) Wet | 7.8h Good | 66% Muggy | 5.8 High | Poor | View Details |
| April | 17°C / 5°C | 14°C / 1°C | 11days (84 mm) Wet | 8.9h Good | 63% Muggy | 7.4 Very High | Fair | View Details |
| May best | 22°C / 12°C | 22°C / 10°C | 13days (142 mm) Wet | 9.9h Good | 68% Muggy | 8.2 Very High | Good | View Details |
| June best | 29°C / 19°C | 31°C / 19°C | 10days (111 mm) Wet | 12.2h Excellent | 67% Muggy | 9.8 Very High | Excellent | View Details |
| July best | 30°C / 20°C | 33°C / 22°C | 9days (89 mm) Wet | 12.1h Excellent | 71% Muggy | 9.4 Very High | Excellent | View Details |
| August best | 29°C / 19°C | 31°C / 20°C | 8days (75 mm) Wet | 11.2h Excellent | 70% Muggy | 8.4 Very High | Excellent | View Details |
| September best | 26°C / 16°C | 27°C / 16°C | 8days (87 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 68% Muggy | 6.8 High | Excellent | View Details |
| October | 18°C / 9°C | 16°C / 6°C | 9days (93 mm) Wet | 7.8h Good | 63% Muggy | 4.8 Moderate | Good | View Details |
| November | 10°C / 1°C | 6°C / -3°C | 6days (44 mm) Good | 6.6h Fair | 67% Muggy | 3.3 Moderate | Poor | View Details |
| December | 4°C / -5°C | -1°C / -10°C | 6days (38 mm) Good | 5.9h Fair | 70% Muggy | 2.7 Moderate | Poor | View Details |
Compare Nearby City Climates
Frequently Asked Questions
The best months to visit Des Moines are May, June, July, August, September, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is at its lowest. This is based on 10-year climate averages for Des Moines, scoring temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine hours.
The hottest month in Des Moines is July, with average daytime highs of 30°C (85°F). Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon if visiting during this period.
The coldest month in Des Moines is January, with average overnight lows of -9°C (16°F). Pack warm layers and expect shorter daylight hours during this period.
The wettest month in Des Moines is May, averaging 142mm of precipitation across 13 rainy days. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is essential.
The rainy season in Des Moines runs through May, April, March, June, with the heaviest rainfall in May. Based on 10-year averages for Des Moines.
Des Moines receives approximately 105 sunshine hours per year. The sunniest month is June with around 12 hours. Based on climate data for Des Moines.
The least favorable months to visit Des Moines are January, February, March, December, primarily due to very cold temperatures. For the best conditions, consider May, June, July, August, September instead.
The annual average UV index in Des Moines is 6, classified as high. Standard sun protection (sunscreen, hat) is recommended during prolonged outdoor exposure.
Average humidity in Des Moines is 68%, classified as moderate. Humidity levels are generally comfortable and should not affect outdoor activities for most people.
Des Moines rarely sees significant snowfall but does experience frost, averaging 16 frost days during the colder months.
Average wind speeds in Des Moines are 21 km/h (13 mph). The windiest month is April with peak winds reaching 26 km/h (16 mph) (gusts up to 49 km/h / 30 mph).
Des Moines averages 6 clear-sky days per month with overall cloud cover around 54%. The clearest skies occur in September.
The annual average dew point in Des Moines is 6°C (43°F), which feels dry and comfortable. Outdoor activities are comfortable year-round from a humidity standpoint.
Des Moines has a Hot-Summer Continental climate, classified as Dfa under the Köppen system. Continental climates experience extreme temperature ranges — hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
The 'feels like' temperature in Des Moines ranges from 4°C (39°F) to 15°C (59°F) on average. Wind chill makes winters feel noticeably colder than the actual temperature — layered clothing is recommended.
Yes, June is a great time to visit Des Moines. It earns a climate score of 8.4/10 with Excellent.
For June in Des Moines, pack Umbrella, Waterproof jacket, Breathable clothing, Sunscreen (SPF 30+), Sun hat. With average highs of 29°C (84°F) and 10 rainy days, these essentials will keep you comfortable.
Data Source
Climate data derived from ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF), averaged over 2016–2025. Sea surface temperature from marine reanalysis data. Climate scores and seasonal estimates are computed by WorldStats.
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