Des Moines, Iowa – A brief stretch of warmer-than-average weather is underway across central Iowa today, followed by gusty winds Friday and a cooler but dry weekend pattern.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, temperatures today will climb well above seasonal averages, with afternoon highs ranging from 36 to 53 degrees. Conditions will be mostly cloudy, with some clearing possible by evening. Northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph may produce a slightly breezy feel, especially along exposed corridors such as I-35, I-80, and US-30.
Friday will turn noticeably windier as a cooler air mass moves in. Forecast highs are expected to range from 35 to 48 degrees, but winds from the northwest will increase to 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 35 mph. These gusty conditions may make travel more difficult for high-profile vehicles, particularly on open stretches of roadway near I-80 west of Des Moines and I-35 north of the metro.
Despite the wind, conditions will remain dry. However, temperatures will drop sharply Friday night, with overnight lows falling into the single digits to near 20 degrees across much of the region. Wind chills will make it feel colder late Friday night into early Saturday morning.
Saturday is expected to be cooler overall, with more seasonable temperatures returning. Daytime highs will remain lower than Friday, but dry weather will continue, supporting favorable travel conditions. Forecasters indicate another warming trend may begin later in the weekend, rounding out a generally dry stretch of weather across Iowa.
Cities including Des Moines, Ames, Ankeny, Marshalltown, and Newton will all experience similar temperature and wind trends. The National Weather Service advises residents to secure loose outdoor items ahead of Friday’s winds and to prepare for colder overnight conditions.
