Des Moines, IA – Christmas Day could feel more like spring across Iowa this year, as unseasonably warm temperatures threaten to challenge daily record highs across parts of the state and the broader Midwest.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, record high temperatures may be challenged in portions of Iowa on Christmas Day, with highs forecast to climb well above seasonal averages. Typical highs for late December are usually in the upper 20s to low 30s, making this warm-up especially notable.
The NOAA Weather Prediction Center says the warmth will not be limited to Iowa. Numerous record highs are possible across the central United States, with forecast temperatures ranging from the low 80s in the southern Plains to the 50s and 60s from the Intermountain West into the Midwest, including Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Forecasters attribute the warmth to a strong and persistent weather pattern allowing mild air to surge northward during the holiday period. While specific record values will vary by city, locations across central and southern Iowa could approach or exceed long-standing Christmas Day records.
The mild conditions may impact holiday travel, outdoor gatherings, and energy usage, with many residents opting for lighter jackets rather than winter coats. However, officials caution that winter is far from over, and colder, more seasonable conditions could return later in the season.
Residents across Polk County, Story County, Linn County, Scott County, and surrounding Iowa communities are encouraged to stay updated on local forecasts as Christmas Day approaches and be aware of rapidly changing winter patterns.
