Iowa greets the morning with quiet skies and sharp cold that stings exposed skin. The air feels brittle. Exhaust plumes linger. Pavement looks dry but hides icy patches.
Cold weather remains the main concern across Des Moines today. Early temperatures hover near 16 degrees, with wind chills dipping close to zero at times. Sunshine helps, but it offers limited relief. Roads appear calm, yet refreezing continues where snowmelt lingered overnight.
Through the day, skies stay mostly sunny. Northwest winds increase at times, gusting near 25 mph. That breeze keeps conditions feeling colder than thermometers suggest. Highs top out near 20 degrees, still well below late-January normals. Commuters should watch bridges, ramps, and shaded side streets for slick spots, especially during the morning drive.
Tonight brings increasing clouds as temperatures fall back into the single digits. Any moisture refreezes quickly, raising the risk of flash freezing. Walk carefully on sidewalks and parking lots, and allow extra stopping distance if driving late.
Wednesday turns brighter and slightly milder. Afternoon highs reach the upper 20s, though mornings stay cold. Wednesday night drops near 5 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Thursday cools again, with highs near 19 and lows close to 1 degree. Winter remains steady, not extreme, but persistent.
Friday stays dry and sunny, though highs only reach the mid-teens. Overnight lows dip below zero once more. By the weekend, temperatures slowly moderate. Saturday climbs into the low 20s. Sunday brings a 30 percent chance of light snow with highs near 30, hinting at a more active pattern.
Looking farther ahead, 6–10 day outlooks suggest below-normal precipitation across Iowa. Cold air dominates much of the central U.S., while warmer conditions build across the Southeast into early February.
Dress in layers, plan for icy surfaces, and stay weather-aware during early drives. How slick did roads feel in your neighborhood this morning?
Five-Day Outlook for Des Moines, Iowa
• Today: Sunny, high near 20
• Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 27
• Thursday: Partly sunny, high near 19
• Friday: Sunny, high near 14
• Saturday: Sunny, high near 22
