Iowa — A pale winter moon fades over Des Moines this morning as temperatures hover near 36 degrees. The air feels damp and chilly, with northwest winds rattling bare branches and keeping wind chills closer to freezing during the early commute.
Skies turn mostly sunny today, and that makes a difference fast. Highs climb toward the upper 40s by afternoon, a noticeable rebound for mid-February. Still, drivers should stay cautious early. Patches of moisture on roads and sidewalks can briefly ice over before temperatures rise.
Wednesday brings a bigger shift. Sunshine dominates, and highs surge near 50 degrees across central Iowa. Side streets soften, snowbanks shrink, and the city gets a brief spring tease. To be fair, melting snow creates its own hazard. Standing water can refreeze quickly after sunset, especially near bridges and shaded ramps along I-235 and I-80.
Clouds return Wednesday night, with lows dipping into the mid-30s. Thursday turns unsettled. A chance of rain develops before noon, with highs near 50. Pavement may stay wet through the day, though temperatures remain warm enough to avoid icing for most areas.
Friday looks like the payoff. Sunshine returns, and highs reach the low 50s, an impressive stretch for February. That mild air holds into Valentine’s Day weekend, though another rain chance appears late Saturday. With temperatures near freezing at night, a brief rain-snow mix can’t be ruled out north of the metro.
Looking ahead, NOAA’s 6–10 day outlook favors above-normal temperatures across Iowa. Even as the Great Lakes remain heavily frozen, the broader pattern supports a gradual thaw into early next week.
Winter isn’t finished, but momentum is shifting. Are you noticing melting already where you live?
Five-Day Outlook for Des Moines, Iowa
• Today: Mostly sunny, breezy, high near 47°
• Wednesday: Sunny, warmer, high near 49°
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high near 50°
• Friday: Sunny, mild, high near 51°
• Saturday: Partly sunny, late rain chance, high near 51°
