A biting northwest wind cuts across downtown Des Moines this morning, whipping flags and stinging cheeks in seconds. Temperatures sit near 10 degrees, but wind chills hover around -7. The air feels sharp and dry, and every step outside reminds you winter still has a grip on Iowa.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, highs reach only 22 degrees today under mostly sunny skies. Northwest winds between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts near 28 mph, keep wind chills near zero through much of the day. Roads remain dry, but any untreated moisture can refreeze quickly.
Temperatures fall to around 4 degrees tonight under mostly clear skies. That hard freeze increases the risk of flash freezing where melting occurs this afternoon. Use caution on bridges and shaded ramps along I-80 and I-235.
The pattern shifts Monday with sunshine and a high near 21. Monday night stays cold, with lows near 13. A major warmup begins Tuesday as highs jump to 44 under mostly cloudy skies. That’s a 20-degree swing in less than 48 hours.
Wednesday brings highs near 40 with a slight chance of snow during the afternoon. A rain and snow mix is possible Wednesday night before cooler air settles in Thursday with highs near 39.
By Friday, temperatures surge into the mid-50s with sunshine. The 6- to 10-day outlook favors above-normal readings, signaling early spring warmth building into next weekend.
Five Day Outlook for Des Moines, Iowa:
Monday: Sunny, high 21. Low 13 Monday night.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high 44. Low 23 Tuesday night.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, slight chance snow, high 40. Low 22 Wednesday night with rain/snow chance.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 39. Low 28 Thursday night.
Friday: Sunny and milder, high 54. Low 30 Friday night.
