| Month | High | Low | Rain | Wet days | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -0.4° | -9.6° | 28.8mm | 7.8 | 14 |
| February | 2.3° | -7.7° | 32.1mm | 8 | 14 |
| March | 9.8° | -1° | 55.5mm | 9.4 | 44 |
| April | 17° | 5.1° | 95.9mm | 10.9 | 69 |
| May | 22.6° | 11.5° | 130.2mm | 12.7 | 75 |
| June | 28.1° | 17.3° | 130.5mm | 11.4 | 73 |
| July | 30.2° | 19.6° | 94mm | 8.8 | 70 |
| August | 29.1° | 18.5° | 98.6mm | 9.2 | 73 |
| September | 25.5° | 13.7° | 74.6mm | 7.5 | 85 |
| October | 17.8° | 6.5° | 73.4mm | 8.6 | 76 |
| November | 9.7° | -0.5° | 45.2mm | 6.8 | 50 |
| December | 2.5° | -6.5° | 39mm | 7.5 | 17 |
January in Des Moines averages a daily high of -0.4°C with nights around -9.6°C. Expect roughly 7.8 wet days totalling 28.8mm. A hard month to visit for comfort alone.
February in Des Moines averages a daily high of 2.3°C with nights around -7.7°C. Expect roughly 8 wet days totalling 32.1mm. A hard month to visit for comfort alone.
March in Des Moines averages a daily high of 9.8°C with nights around -1°C. Expect roughly 9.4 wet days totalling 55.5mm. Demanding conditions — pack for it and plan indoor options.
April in Des Moines averages a daily high of 17°C with nights around 5.1°C. Expect roughly 10.9 wet days totalling 95.9mm. Generally workable, with some weather to plan around.
May in Des Moines averages a daily high of 22.6°C with nights around 11.5°C. Expect roughly 12.7 wet days totalling 130.2mm. Comfortable conditions for being outdoors all day.
June in Des Moines averages a daily high of 28.1°C with nights around 17.3°C. Expect roughly 11.4 wet days totalling 130.5mm. Generally workable, with some weather to plan around.
July in Des Moines averages a daily high of 30.2°C with nights around 19.6°C. Expect roughly 8.8 wet days totalling 94mm. Generally workable, with some weather to plan around.
August in Des Moines averages a daily high of 29.1°C with nights around 18.5°C. Expect roughly 9.2 wet days totalling 98.6mm. Generally workable, with some weather to plan around.
September in Des Moines averages a daily high of 25.5°C with nights around 13.7°C. Expect roughly 7.5 wet days totalling 74.6mm. Comfortable conditions for being outdoors all day.
October in Des Moines averages a daily high of 17.8°C with nights around 6.5°C. Expect roughly 8.6 wet days totalling 73.4mm. Comfortable conditions for being outdoors all day.
November in Des Moines averages a daily high of 9.7°C with nights around -0.5°C. Expect roughly 6.8 wet days totalling 45.2mm. Demanding conditions — pack for it and plan indoor options.
December in Des Moines averages a daily high of 2.5°C with nights around -6.5°C. Expect roughly 7.5 wet days totalling 39mm. A hard month to visit for comfort alone.
Each month scores out of 100. It starts at 100 and loses points for daytime highs outside a 20–27°C band, for wet days, and for nights below 2°C. Nothing else is weighted in — no crowd data, no prices, no opinion. Des Moines peaks at 85.
Based on 30 years of records, September scores highest for comfort in Des Moines, balancing daytime temperature against rainfall.
July is the warmest, averaging a daily high of 30.2°C.
June is the wettest, averaging 130.5mm of rain across roughly 11.4 wet days.
January is the coolest month, with average daily highs around -0.4°C.