Iowa – Pale winter sunshine breaks through high clouds across central Iowa this morning, reflecting off dry pavement and calm streets. It feels brisk, but manageable, and for now Winter Weather offers a quiet window for holiday errands and early Christmas Travel.
According to the National Weather Service, skies stay mostly sunny today with highs reaching the upper 40s. Winds remain light, helping conditions feel calmer than a typical late-December morning. Tonight cools into the low 30s, but roads remain dry and travel-friendly.
Across Des Moines and Polk County, Wednesday continues the mild trend. Clouds increase, but highs climb near 49 with no precipitation expected. To be fair, this stretch is unusually warm for the first week of Winter, giving travelers a break from snow and ice concerns.
Christmas Day stays mostly cloudy with highs near 49. Roads along I-35, I-80, and Highway 65 remain in good shape, supporting smooth holiday travel. By Thursday night, temperatures dip into the low 40s, signaling a gradual shift heading into post-Christmas plans.
Friday brings the warmest day of the period. Sunshine pushes highs into the mid-50s, making for easy driving and light jackets instead of heavy coats. That warmth does not last. Cooler air filters in Friday night, dropping lows into the low 40s.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Winter reasserts itself. Saturday stays mild, but a sharper cold snap arrives Sunday. Highs fall near 27 with brisk winds, and lows dip into the teens Sunday night. While snow is not expected immediately, the colder pattern hints at a more traditional late-December setup.
Plan flexible travel times this weekend. Enjoy the mild stretch while it lasts. How does the weather feel where you are heading after Christmas?
Five Day Outlook for Des Moines, Iowa
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 47.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High near 49.
- Thursday (Christmas Day): Mostly cloudy. High near 49.
- Friday: Mostly sunny and mild. High near 54.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High near 54, colder late.
