DES MOINES, Iowa — A soft, golden sunrise glows across Iowa fields this morning, but a colder, sharper pattern is brewing on the horizon. Central Iowa’s stretch of mild, sunny weather is nearing its end as a developing cold front promises rain, wind, and possibly the first snowflakes of the season by the weekend.
Today brings plenty of sun and dry air, with highs near 58°F and a north breeze gusting up to 25 mph. Skies stay mostly clear tonight with lows near 35°F — crisp, but seasonably comfortable. Thursday will see clouds returning and temperatures climbing back toward 60°F ahead of the next weather system.
By Thursday night, scattered showers move into western Iowa, spreading east toward Des Moines by early Friday. The rain should taper during the day Friday as temperatures hover near 64°F. But by Friday night, a sharp drop in temperature will arrive as colder air dives south from the Dakotas.
Saturday looks brisk and gray, with highs struggling to reach 48°F and a 50% chance of light rain, possibly mixing with snow late in the day as readings fall toward the mid-20s. While no accumulation is expected yet, the rain-to-snow changeover could hint at what’s coming later in November.
Sunday stays sunny but cold — a taste of early winter with highs only in the mid-30s.
Residents planning weekend travel along I-35 or I-80 should prepare for colder wind chills and the season’s first real jolt of November air.
Five-Day Forecast for Des Moines, IA:
Wed: 58/35 – Sunny, breezy; gusts up to 25 mph.
Thu: 60/47 – Increasing clouds; rain late.
Fri: 64/37 – Rain early, windy and cooler.
Sat: 48/24 – Chance of rain/snow; brisk and cold.
Sun: 36/22 – Sunny and cold; early winter feel.
