Iowa – A sharp east wind sweeps across downtown Des Moines this morning, and the air stings at 22 degrees. Wind chills hover near 11, and sidewalks feel stiff underfoot as March opens with a late-winter edge.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, mostly cloudy skies hold today with a high near 36. Winds stay light from the east around 8 mph. Clouds thicken tonight, and temperatures dip to 27.
Monday turns milder but stays gray. Highs reach 44 under cloudy skies. Rain develops after midnight Monday night, with a 70 percent chance into early Tuesday. Roads along I-35 and I-80 may turn wet before the Tuesday morning commute. While no snow is expected, this is flash-freeze season. Any lingering moisture can refreeze quickly if temperatures fall near freezing late at night.
Tuesday brings steady rain before noon, then scattered showers through the afternoon. Highs reach 48. Rain chances remain at 60 percent. By Tuesday night, a 40 percent chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms moves in.
Wednesday stays active. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms develops before noon, then scattered rain lingers. Highs climb to 52. Slight rain chances continue Wednesday night before a stronger warm push arrives.
Thursday delivers a true March warm spell. Highs surge to 62 under partly sunny skies. That warming trend may extend into the 6–10 day outlook with above-normal temperatures building across the Plains.
We gain nearly 90 minutes of daylight this month in Iowa. Clocks spring forward at 2 a.m. next Sunday, March 8.
Five Day Outlook for Des Moines, Iowa:
Monday: Cloudy, high 44.
Tuesday: Rain likely, high 48.
Wednesday: Chance of showers and storms, high 52.
Thursday: Partly sunny, high 62.
Friday: Rain likely, high 62.
