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Weather & Climate in Des Moines, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Des Moines experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 290 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 27.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 801 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.3°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 801 ft (244 m) |
| Area | 90.7 sq mi (235.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,410/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.5726°N, 93.6102°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
699 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 20 fatalities, 375 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF5 | 45 km | 21.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1953 | EF5 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | EF4 | 62 km | 70.6 mi | 6 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF4 | 85 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 88 km | 57.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 89 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF4 | 87 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 75 km | 66.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 | EF4 | 20 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1974 | EF4 | 18 km | 15.3 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 1959 | EF4 | 85 km | 41.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1953 | EF4 | 82 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | EF3 | 73 km | 11.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 2019 | EF3 | 36 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 57 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 75 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 61 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 2005 | EF3 | 77 km | 17.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 56 km | 39.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 1994 | EF3 | 97 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 | 1,050 | 27 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
Des Moines has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (1.0").