Des Moines, Iowa – The pavement is already warming under bright July sunshine, and the air feels heavier with every passing hour. Central Iowa is heading into another stretch of midsummer heat, with only a small chance of afternoon storms offering limited relief before even hotter conditions arrive early next week.
Heat is taking center stage across central Iowa as temperatures surge into the mid-90s today, while isolated thunderstorms remain possible later this afternoon. According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, highs will reach 95 degrees, with heat index values climbing as high as 103 degrees. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms develops after 3 p.m., and while widespread severe weather is not expected, gusty winds up to 30 mph could accompany any stronger storm.
Travel conditions should remain favorable through much of the day along Interstate 35, Interstate 80 and Highway 65, but drivers should be prepared for rapidly changing visibility if a thunderstorm develops during the late afternoon or evening. Keep extra water in your vehicle and avoid leaving children or pets inside parked cars, even for a few minutes.
Sunday brings mostly sunny skies with a high near 91 degrees, offering a slight break from the intense heat. The hottest day of this stretch arrives Monday, when temperatures climb to 99 degrees. Heat index values are expected to exceed 100 degrees across much of central Iowa before another slight chance of thunderstorms develops Monday night.
By Tuesday, sunshine returns with a more manageable high near 88 degrees, followed by pleasant weather in the mid-80s through the middle of the week. The National Weather Service notes additional storm opportunities later in the week, but confidence in widespread impacts remains low.
The 6-to-10-day outlook continues to favor above-normal temperatures across Iowa, signaling that the summer heat is likely to remain the dominant weather story into late next week.
Five-Day Forecast for Des Moines, Iowa
- Today: High 95°F. Sunny with a 20% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Heat index up to 103°F.
- Sunday: Sunny. High 91°F.
- Monday: Sunny and hot. High 99°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny. High 88°F.
- Wednesday: Sunny. High 84°F.
