Des Moines, Iowa – A pale gray sky and light frost cover much of central Iowa this Veterans Day morning, with temperatures hovering near freezing and a light south breeze brushing across the fields. It’s a quiet, cold dawn — the kind that steams breath on early commutes and glints across parked cars. But after this brisk start, Iowa’s weather is about to stage a major turnaround.
According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, clouds will thin through the morning as warmer air builds from the south. Highs will climb into the low 50s today and surge toward the 60s by Wednesday and Thursday. The stretch looks calm, dry, and mostly sunny — ideal for outdoor Veterans Day observances, late-season harvest work, or early holiday decorating before temperatures dip again next week.
Southwest winds gusting up to 25 mph will add a breezy feel to the afternoons, but travel conditions along I-80, I-35, and local routes should remain excellent through Friday. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the mild weather for final lawn care or gutter clearing ahead of Thanksgiving’s travel rush.
By the weekend, however, subtle changes begin to show. Clouds increase Saturday as a weak front drifts through the Midwest, bringing a small chance of showers and slightly cooler air by Sunday. Long-range models hint that colder air could return closer to Thanksgiving — a potential “winter tease” for the northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
For now, Des Moines enjoys a golden stretch of late-fall comfort — crisp mornings, bright skies, and a gentle reminder that winter’s patience rarely lasts long in Iowa.
Five-Day Forecast for Des Moines, IA:
Mon: 54/34 – Mostly cloudy early; clearing and mild.
Tue: 57/38 – Sunny, light winds; pleasant.
Wed: 62/36 – Bright and breezy; warming trend.
Thu: 67/42 – Mostly sunny; breezy and warm.
Fri: 72/54 – Partly cloudy; cooler air building late.
