Iowa Weather Forecast

Iowa has a humid continental climate characterized by large seasonal temperature variations and ample precipitation during the growing season. Des Moines experiences average winter lows around 13 degrees Fahrenheit and summer highs near 87 degrees. The state receives 30 to 36 inches of rainfall annually, most of which falls during the spring and summer months critical to its agricultural economy.

Severe weather season in Iowa runs from late spring through summer, bringing powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes, and derechos. The August 2020 derecho was one of the most destructive weather events in Iowa's history, with winds exceeding 140 mph causing billions of dollars in damage to crops and structures. Large hail and damaging straight-line winds are also frequent threats.

Iowa winters are bitterly cold, with frequent Arctic air outbreaks pushing temperatures well below zero. Blizzards and heavy snowfall can shut down transportation across the state, which averages 33 inches of snow per year. The transition seasons of spring and fall bring some of the most dramatic weather, with sharp temperature contrasts fueling powerful storm systems that cross the state.