Des Moines, IA – Residents across central Iowa should remain vigilant as showers and thunderstorms continue into Wednesday, following a night of potentially severe weather. The lingering storms could impact morning travel and outdoor plans before a significant shift brings intense summer heat to the region by the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, showers and a possible thunderstorm are expected mainly before 1 p.m. Wednesday. While the severe weather threat is considered low, periods of heavy rainfall could prolong localized flooding concerns in areas already saturated. The Hazardous Weather Outlook remains in effect for numerous central Iowa counties, including Polk, Dallas, Warren, Jasper, and Madison.
After the rain clears out Wednesday afternoon, conditions will improve for Juneteenth, which is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 88°F. However, this marks a transition to a much hotter and more humid weather pattern. By Friday and Saturday, temperatures will climb into the 90s, with heat index values that may exceed 100 degrees. Residents should prepare for the coming heat by planning to stay hydrated, limiting strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and checking on vulnerable family members and neighbors.
The threat of thunderstorms may return late Thursday and again Sunday into early next week, though details on those systems will become clearer in the coming days.
Here is a look at the five-day Des Moines weather ahead:
- WEDNESDAY: [Showers and a possible thunderstorm, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 80°F.]
- THURSDAY (JUNETEENTH): [Mostly sunny, with a high near 88°F.]
- FRIDAY: [Sunny and hot, with a high near 93°F. Heat index may exceed 100°F.]
- SATURDAY: [Sunny and hot, with a high near 95°F.]
- SUNDAY: [A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95°F.]
