Best Time to Visit Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Des Moines.
Des Moines does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (July, 24.6°C / 76.3°F) and driest (January, 26 mm / 1 in) months. The drier stretch runs through September–March; the wetter half falls in April–August. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from -6.6°C / 20.1°F in January to 24.6°C / 76.3°F in July, with rainfall from 26 mm / 1 in (January) to 117 mm / 4.6 in (June). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Des Moines's climate is broadly strongly continental. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 24.6°C76.3°F | 104 mm4.1″ | — |
| August | 23.2°C73.8°F | 105 mm4.1″ | — |
| September | 18.4°C65.1°F | 86 mm3.4″ | — |
No month at Des Moines matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Des Moines?
Des Moines doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on January (driest, ~26 mm / 1 in) and July (warmest, 24.6°C / 76.3°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from United States of America's national average.
When is the rainy season in Des Moines?
The rainy season at Des Moines, Iowa runs through April–August, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 86 mm / 3.4 in. The wettest single month is June (117 mm / 4.6 in).
What is the driest month in Des Moines?
The driest month in Des Moines is January, averaging about 26 mm / 1 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages -6.6°C / 20.1°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Des Moines?
The least comfortable months for travel to Des Moines — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, May, June, August, November, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 117 mm / 4.6 in in June, and the coldest month averages -6.6°C / 20.1°F.
Is Des Moines climate different from United States of America overall?
Yes, usually. Our Des Moines figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our United States of America figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Des Moines specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.