Des Moines, IA – The morning air feels brisk across central Iowa, the kind that carries the scent of damp leaves and cool, still fields. After a mild Halloween, the weather turns seasonally crisp as the state eases into its first November chill with scattered sprinkles, breezy skies, and lows near freezing by Saturday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Friday will see increasing clouds with highs near 51°F before light sprinkles arrive late in the evening. Winds from the northwest may gust up to 20 mph, making for a noticeably cooler feel. Those traveling across I-35 and I-80 should expect brief drizzle and reduced visibility during the evening commute.
Saturday stays mostly cloudy with highs around 48°F, followed by a frosty night as lows dip near 32°F. Gardeners should protect any remaining fall plants, as this likely marks the first widespread frost of November across the Des Moines metro and surrounding counties.
By Sunday, sunshine returns with highs near 54°F — bright, calm, and perfect for outdoor cleanup or setting clocks back as Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m.
Early next week looks steady, with sunny skies and highs near 60°F Monday and Tuesday. Still, forecasters note another cold front may develop late next week, hinting at possible first flakes across northern Iowa if temperatures continue trending downward. For now, keep the jackets handy — Iowa’s crisp fall shift is officially underway.
