Des Moines, Iowa – Heavy wildfire smoke continues to blanket most of Iowa this weekend, triggering an Air Quality Alert through 8 a.m. Sunday and prompting health advisories across the state. The smoke is creating hazardous breathing conditions, particularly for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and outdoor workers.
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, air quality levels across Iowa remain unhealthy for sensitive groups and could even affect healthy individuals. The most affected areas include central counties like Polk, Dallas, and Story, as well as eastern metros such as Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
Des Moines residents woke up to thick haze Saturday morning, with visibility down to 9 miles and light winds doing little to disperse the smoke. Officials are urging people to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and to take frequent breaks if they must be outside.
While skies are expected to clear Sunday with a return to sunshine and milder air, smoke could linger into the overnight hours in low-lying valleys.
A return of thunderstorms is possible by midweek, according to the National Weather Service in Des Moines. Rain and wind may help improve air quality, though severe weather is not anticipated at this time.
Five Day Forecast for Des Moines, Iowa
- Saturday: Areas of smoke, high near 78°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, high 78°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, high 80°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny and warmer, high 84°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, slight chance of showers overnight, high 87°F.
