Des Moines Weather

You will probably notice that Iowans love to talk about the weather! Though it can rain at any time of the year, the rainiest months are in the spring. It is the variability and occasional severity of the weather that makes it such a popular topic of conversation.

The climate in Iowa changes dramatically during different times of the year. Temperatures range from -26C to 37C. As the chart below from the National Weather Service shows, temperatures are hot in July and August; cold in January and February. Remember this as you choose what clothes to bring! In the winter, warm hats, scarves, mittens and boots are essential and people “layer” their clothes for maximum insulation. In the summer, sandals, shorts and t-shirts are the norm.

Another dramatic form of weather that Iowans occasionally experience is tornadoes. Tornadoes may develop in the spring, but most Iowans have never seen one. Part of the reason for this is that the Weather Service is able to predict when tornadoes are most likely to occur. The Weather Service then sounds sirens and issues warnings on radio and TV so people can seek shelter. By moving to basements or protected areas of buildings away from windows, people are generally able to avoid injury if a tornado develops.

Monthly High & Low Temperatures

Month	High	Low	Precipitation
January	27.0 F (-2.78)	10.1 F (-12.17)	2.5 cm
February	33.2 F (0.67)	15.8 F (-9.0)	2.8 cm
March	44.2 F (6.78)	26.0 F (-3.33)	5.6 cm
April	61.0 F (16.11)	39.9 F (4.39)	8.2 cm
May	72.6 F (22.56)	51.6 F (10.89)	10.1 cm
June	81.8 F (27.67)	61.4 F (16.33)	10.6 cm
July	86.2 F (30.11)	66.3 F (19.22)	8.2 cm
August	84.0 F (28.89)	63.7 F (17.61)	10.4 cm
September	75.7 F (24.28)	54.4 F (12.44)	7.8 cm
October	65.0 F (18.33)	43.3 F (6.28)	5.5 cm
November	47.6 F (8.67)	29.5 F (-1.39)	3.9 cm
December	33.7 F (0.94)	17.6 F (-8.0)	2.7 cm

Visit The Weather Channel for more information on Iowa weather.