DES MOINES, Iowa — The prairie wind hums across open fields this morning, stirring dry leaves and sending a chill through early risers. It’s a blustery start for central Iowa, one that signals a quick shift toward clear skies and colder nights as the state braces for the season’s first brush with frost by late week.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, strong northwest winds will define Tuesday’s weather, gusting near 35 to 40 mph at times. Skies turn partly sunny by midday, but the air will feel noticeably cooler and drier behind a passing cold front. Drivers on I-35 and I-80 should stay alert for crosswinds, especially high-profile vehicles on exposed stretches.
By Wednesday, conditions improve dramatically. Sunshine dominates, and afternoon highs reach near 61°F under a calm, crisp sky. That clear pattern continues into Thursday morning — and that’s when Iowa’s first widespread frost of the season could appear. Lows are expected to dip into the mid to upper 30s, with isolated valleys and rural spots flirting with freezing.
Gardeners and homeowners should plan to cover late-season plants or bring potted vegetation indoors by Wednesday night. While no hard freeze is expected yet, this marks an early signal of the winter transition season now beginning across the Midwest.
Friday and Saturday bring mild, mostly sunny days with highs in the lower 60s — a short-lived reprieve before a cooler trend may return by early next week.
Five-Day Outlook for Des Moines, IA:
Tue: 56/38 – Windy; clearing late.
Wed: 61/36 – Sunny; crisp breeze.
Thu: 61/38 – Clear; patchy frost early.
Fri: 63/45 – Mostly sunny; mild.
Sat: 60/49 – Partly cloudy; pleasant.
