Des Moines, Iowa Weather History

Iowa, United States  •  45 yrs data 📍 41.5906°N, 93.6260°W
°F / °C
☀️

Quick Climate Facts

(1981 – 2025)
Hottest Month
🔥
Aug
Avg 74.2°F
Min 52.7°F
Max 95.7°F
Coldest Month
❄️
Jan
Avg 19.7°F
Min -8.6°F
Max 48.1°F
Wettest Month
🌧️
Jun
124 mm
Driest Month
🏜️
Jan
23 mm
Most Humid
💧
Jan
84%
Least Humid
🌬️
Sep
68%
Highest Ever
🌡️
108.6°F
Jul 2012
Lowest Ever
🧊
-32.9°F
Jan 1982
Monthly Climate Data
Month 🌤️ High Low Avg Humid % Rain (mm) Wind (m/s) Solar (kWh/m²)

Showing average climate conditions across 45 years (1981–2025)

🌍 Weather in Des Moines Across Seasons

❄️ Winter in Des Moines

January is Des Moines's coldest month, with average lows reaching -8.7°F.
🌡️ December to February (avg)  ·  -4.5°F52.5°F

🧥 Pack heavy layers and prepare for snow — this is a Severe Winter destination.

☀️ Summer in Des Moines

Summer temperatures in Des Moines peak in August, climbing to 95.7°F.
🌡️ June to August (avg)  ·  52.2°F94.3°F

🌤️ Limit midday outdoor exposure and stay hydrated — this is an intense Hot Summer.

🌧️ Rainy Season in Des Moines

Des Moines sees its highest rainfall in June, receiving approximately 124 mm of precipitation.
🌧️ May to July (avg)  ·  up to 124 mm

☔ Moderate Rainfall expected — carry rain gear and plan outdoor activities around these months.

📅 Monthly Averages

🌡️ Temperature Patterns

Monthly averages · 1981–2025 climate normals · °F

🌡️ Des Moines Monthly Temperature Guide

Aug is the hottest month in Des Moines, with average highs reaching 95.7°F, while Jan is the coldest with lows dropping to -8.6°F.

Temperatures rise steadily from spring, peak in Aug, and gradually decline through fall into winter.

These seasonal patterns make summer ideal for outdoor activities, while winters bring freezing conditions and heavy snowfall.

🌧️ Rainfall Distribution

Monthly rainfall · 1981–2025 seasonal trends · mm/month

💨 Humidity & Wind Speed

Monthly averages · 1981–2025

💧 Rainfall & Humidity in Des Moines

Des Moines receives its highest rainfall in Jun, while humidity peaks during winter months.
🌧️ Wettest: Jun — 124 mm ☀️ Driest: Jan — 23 mm

💧 Humidity peaks at 84% in Jan · annual avg 75%

🌍 Climate Summary

Avg Annual Temp:50.5°F
Avg Annual Rainfall:879 mm
Avg Humidity:75%
Data Period:1981 – 2025

Des Moines Climate Overview

Des Moines has a temperate climate with warm summers and freezing winters.

Temperatures peak in Aug and drop to their lowest in Jan, while rainfall is highest during summer months.

Humidity remains moderate throughout the year, especially during winter months, creating cold and damp conditions.

📈 Yearly Trends

The warmest year in Des Moines's recorded history was 2012 (avg: 55.8°F), while the coldest year was 1982 (avg: 44.8°F), based on annual average temperatures.

📊 Key Climate Trends

🌡️ Annual Temperature Trend

View Range:

Average annual high/low · Last 10 years · °F

Des Moines's temperatures shows a slight warming trend over the past decade. The highest recorded temperature reached 108.6°F in Jul 2012, while the lowest dropped to -32.9°F in Jan 1982.

🌧️ Annual Precipitation

View Range:

Total annual precipitation · Last 10 years · mm/year

Annual rainfall in Des Moines shows noticeable variation. Rainfall has decreased in recent years compared to earlier periods.
📋 Yearly Climate Data Overview

🔥 hottest  ·  ❄️ coldest  ·  🌧️ wettest

Year Min Temp Avg Temp Max Temp Rainfall (mm) Avg Humidity Avg Wind

🏙️ Other Cities in Iowa

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hottest month in Des Moines?
Based on 45 years of data (1981–2025), Aug is typically the hottest month in Des Moines, Iowa, with average high temperatures around 95.7°F.
What is the coldest month in Des Moines?
Jan is the coldest month in Des Moines, with average low temperatures around -8.6°F.
What is the rainiest month in Des Moines?
Jun receives the most rainfall with approximately 124 mm, while Jan is the driest with 23 mm.
What was the highest temperature ever recorded in Des Moines?
The highest recorded temperature was 108.6°F in Jul 2012. This is part of the historical record spanning 1981–2025.
What was the lowest temperature ever recorded in Des Moines?
The lowest recorded temperature was -32.9°F in Jan 1982.
How many years of data does this page cover?
This page covers 45 years of climate data from 1981 to 2025. As new data is added to the database the page automatically reflects the updated coverage.
How much sunlight does Des Moines get?
Des Moines receives the most sunlight in Jul with an average solar radiation of 6.28 kWh/m²/day. This solar radiation data, sourced from NASA POWER, is useful for solar energy planning, agriculture, and understanding seasonal sunshine availability in Iowa.
Where does this weather data come from?
All climate data is sourced from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite and model data. It provides monthly averages for temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.

📚 Data Source

All weather data is sourced from NASA POWER (Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources), a NASA project providing solar and meteorological data for renewable energy, building efficiency, and agricultural research.

Parameters included:
  • Temperature (Min, Max)
  • Precipitation
  • Relative Humidity
  • Wind Speed
  • Solar Radiation
Data specifications:
  • Resolution: Monthly
  • Spatial: 0.5° × 0.625°
  • Source: MERRA-2
  • Coverage: 1981–2025
  • Years: 45