Weather in Des Moines, Iowa
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:57 AM
- Moonset
- 2:01 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
Des Moines at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 25 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Des Moines its warmest temperatures (~76°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~22°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in June (5.3 inches) and drops to its lowest point in January (1.1 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22° | 1.1″ | 3 |
| February | 27° | 1.3″ | 4 |
| March | 39° | 2.2″ | 5 |
| April | 51° | 4.0″ | 8 |
| May | 62° | 5.2″ | 9 |
| June | 72° | 5.3″ | 7 |
| July | 76° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| August | 74° | 4.2″ | 6 |
| September | 66° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| October | 53° | 2.8″ | 5 |
| November | 39° | 1.9″ | 4 |
| December | 28° | 1.6″ | 4 |
Regional context
Des Moines falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region. This classification links it with nearby cities that experience similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Davenport, IA, Cedar Rapids, IA, Iowa City, IA, Waterloo, IA, Sioux City, IA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the return of Baltimore orioles to Des Moines area woodlands, their bright orange plumage visible among newly leafed oak trees.
June marks peak bloom for native wild bergamot across Iowa prairies, filling meadows with purple flower clusters that attract native bees.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Des Moines?
- Des Moines typically sees its last spring frost around mid-April, with the first fall frost returning around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Des Moines?
- June stands as the wettest month with about 5.3 inches of rain on average, contributing to the city's roughly 37 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Des Moines?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 76°F.
- What is the coldest month in Des Moines?
- January typically delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 22°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Des Moines?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-April), while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Des Moines get?
- Des Moines experiences about 66 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Des Moines?
- Des Moines's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature. Check the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Des Moines, Iowa sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. Winter January temperatures hover near 22°F while summer July averages reach 76°F — creating a 54°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Des Moines receives about 37 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 66 rainy days.
Geography shapes the local weather patterns through latitude (41.6°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost threatens, and how daily weather unfolds.