AI-generatedDes Moines at a glance
- Best time
- Jun – Oct
- Warmest month
- Jul · 29°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,310 h
- Rain a year
- 918 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC−6 / UTC−5
- Elevation
- 266 m
Climate in Des Moines
Des Moines has warm to hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 29 °C, while January is the coolest at −1 °C. With around 2,310 hours of sunshine a year, Des Moines is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 9.1 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: June – October
October is the peak of the hurricane season
Good forSightseeing & walks
Keep in mindStorm season
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 9°
- Midday, 13:00: about 16°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 17°
- Evening, 20:00: about 13°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
07:2518:35
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:08–08:03 · evening 17:58–18:52
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:57–07:08 · evening 18:52–19:03
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Des Moines in October?
In October, Des Moines is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 76 mm. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Des Moines.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 10 min07:25 – 18:35
- UV index
- 4 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 1 daydew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 22 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 48 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−5America/Chicago
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %91 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %47 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %73 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
Sunshine hours in Des Moines
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 5.8 of 11.2 hours of daylight in Des Moines, 52 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Des Moines
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 4 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 35 min
- Fair skin
- about 45 min
- Light brown skin
- about 60 min
- Olive skin
- about 80 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Des Moines: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Des Moines has about 8 rainy days with 76 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Des Moines
How breezy and how cloudy Des Moines is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Des Moines typically peaks at 22 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 48 % of the sky over Des Moines: variable cloud, with about 5.8 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Des Moines
How often the day gets hot in Des Moines (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Des Moines has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 17 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Des Moines
When Des Moines is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, it hardly ever snows in Des Moines.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Des Moines
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- Warm 20–24°
- muggy month (10+ muggy days)
CoolOctober: nights around 8°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening. Muggy on about 1 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (−10°), the warmest in July (20°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule in July; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in June and from August to September. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from November to April, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 50 days a year, mostly from June to August.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 30 | −1° | −10° | 4.2 h | 6 | 32 |
| FebruaryFeb | 33 | 1° | −8° | 5.2 h | 6 | 38 |
| MarchMar | 35 | 9° | −1° | 5.9 h | 9 | 68 |
| AprilApr | 66 | 16° | 5° | 6.4 h | 11 | 103 |
| MayMay | 72 | 22° | 12° | 6.8 h | 14 | 137 |
| JuneJun | 82 | 27° | 18° | 8.4 h | 11 | 123 |
| JulyJul | 78 | 29° | 20° | 9.1 h | 9 | 83 |
| AugustAug | 79 | 28° | 19° | 7.9 h | 9 | 90 |
| SeptemberSep | 88 | 25° | 15° | 7.4 h | 7 | 80 |
| OctoberOct | 77 | 17° | 8° | 5.8 h | 8 | 76 |
| NovemberNov | 38 | 9° | 1° | 4.9 h | 6 | 48 |
| DecemberDec | 29 | 2° | −6° | 4.0 h | 6 | 42 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
41.60° N, 93.61° W · 266 m · America/Chicago
Best time to visit Des Moines
The best time to visit Des Moines is from June to October. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable in April and in June and from August to October. The wettest month is May with 137 mm of precipitation.
Des Moines through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Des Moines in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 9–22 °C by day
- 6 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
Des Moines in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 27–29 °C by day
- 9 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days in all
Des Moines in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 9–25 °C by day
- 6 h of sun a day
- 21 rainy days in all
Des Moines in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- -1–2 °C by day
- 5 h of sun a day
- 18 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Des Moines for you.
Your best months: September
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Des Moines
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
September has the better holiday weather in Des Moines: score 88 against 77. In September, days are 8 °C warmer than in October. September has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in September.
| Month | October | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 77 | 88better |
| Day high | 17° | 25° |
| Night low | 8° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 5.8 h | 7.4 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 8 | 7better |
| Rainfall | 76 mm | 80 mm |
| Muggy days | 1better | 5 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr, Jun, Aug – Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
May
12 or more rainy days
Snow
Dec – Mar
Snow on 2 or more days
Des Moines month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
30January-1° · 4 h
In January, Des Moines is freezing cold: daytime highs average −1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−10 °C). Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 6 days, totalling 32 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in January33February1° · 5 h
In February, Des Moines is freezing cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−8 °C). Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 6 days, totalling 38 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in February35March9° · 6 h
In March, Des Moines is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−1 °C). Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 68 mm. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in March66April16° · 6 h
In April, Des Moines is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 103 mm in total. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in April72May22° · 7 h
In May, Des Moines is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 137 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in May82June27° · 8 h
In June, Des Moines is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 123 mm in total. On about 7 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in June78July29° · 9 h
In July, Des Moines is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and nights cool down to about 20 °C. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 83 mm. On about 12 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in July79August28° · 8 h
In August, Des Moines is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 90 mm in total. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in August88September25° · 7 h
In September, Des Moines is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 80 mm. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in September77October17° · 6 h
In October, Des Moines is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 76 mm. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in October38November9° · 5 h
In November, Des Moines is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 48 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in November29December2° · 4 h
In December, Des Moines is freezing cold: daytime highs average 2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−6 °C). Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 6 days, totalling 42 mm. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Des Moines.
Des Moines in DecemberDes Moines compared
Put Des Moines side by side with another destination.
No destination found
Des Moines vs. Omaha
In October Omaha has the better holiday weather (score 83 vs. 77). During the day Omaha is 1 °C warmer than Des Moines.
| in October | Des Moines | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 77 | 83 |
| Daytime high | 17° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 8 | 7 |
| Best time | Jun – Oct | May – Oct |
Through the year
USA in October: the best places
In October, Des Moines ranks 19 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Oklahoma City23°86
- 2Fort Worth26°86
- 3Denver18°85
- 4Dallas26°85
- 5Atlanta22°85
- 6Greenville22°85
- 7Memphis23°84
- 8Omaha18°83
- 19Des MoinesThis page17°77
Planning a trip to Des Moines
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Des Moines in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Des Moines has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 79) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 30).
- 57
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 74
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 23 °C by day
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 79
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 28 °C by day
- 8.3 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Storm season
- 77
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 17 °C by day
- 5.8 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
Keep in mind: Storm season
- 30
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 0 °C by day
- 4.1 h of sun a day
- 6 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 8 h 35 min
- Distance
- 6,720 km
- Time zone
- UTC−5
- Jet lag
- About 4 days (6 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Storm season
Des Moines lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June: Season
- July: Season
- August: Peak
- September: Peak
- October: Peak
- November: Season
- December
Official season dates of the regional warning centres (NOAA, JMA, IMD, Météo-France, BoM); not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions about Des Moines
When is the best time to visit Des Moines?
The best time to visit Des Moines is from June to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Des Moines?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C and nights around 20 °C. January is the coolest month at −1 °C.
When does it rain most in Des Moines?
The wettest month is May with 137 mm of precipitation. The driest month is January with 32 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Des Moines get?
Des Moines gets around 2,310 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 9.1 hours a day; in December there are 4.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Des Moines in?
Des Moines uses the time zone America/Chicago: UTC−6 in January and UTC−5 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Des Moines?
A nonstop flight from London to Des Moines takes about 8 h 35 min, for a straight-line distance of about 6,720 km.
When is hurricane season in Des Moines?
Des Moines lies in an area that Atlantic hurricanes can reach. The hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from August to October. A direct hit on any one place is rare, but if you travel then, keep an eye on weather warnings and book flexibly.
Which school holidays are best for Des Moines?
Des Moines has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 79) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 30). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 57, May half-term 74, Summer holidays 79, October half-term 77, Christmas holidays 30.
Near Des Moines
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Des Moines
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Des Moines's – good alternatives.