DES MOINES, Iowa – Gray skies lingered across central Iowa early Friday as a blanket of low clouds held temperatures in the 30s and 40s. A light haze hung over I-80 and Highway 69, but sunshine is finally poised to return — at least for the weekend — before another round of rain moves in early next week, potentially slowing Thanksgiving travel across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, patchy fog will clear through the morning, giving way to partly sunny skies by Saturday. Temperatures climb steadily, reaching near 60°F by Sunday — an unseasonably mild setup that will make for great outdoor plans and early holiday travel.
However, conditions turn wetter as the next system approaches late Sunday night into Monday. Light rain will expand across central Iowa, with totals between 0.25–0.5 inches expected through Monday night. The heaviest rainfall may fall along and south of I-80, tapering by Tuesday morning. Winds will stay moderate from the south, keeping daytime highs in the upper 50s.
Looking ahead, cooler air follows behind the front midweek with highs dropping into the upper 30s by Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day. National models hint at a pattern shift toward below-normal temperatures and possible early winter snow developing across the central U.S. from November 25 through December 3 — a signal worth watching for travelers heading north or east.
Five-Day Forecast for Des Moines, IA:
Fri: 48/33 – Mostly cloudy; slight chance of drizzle.
Sat: 59/36 – Sunny; calm and mild.
Sun: 60/44 – Sunny early; clouds increase late.
Mon: 57/45 – Rain likely; up to 0.5”.
Tue: 50/29 – Clearing; breezy and cooler.
