Honestly, if you've lived in central Iowa for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up to a forecast that looks like a calm winter day and by lunchtime, you’re staring at a "flash freeze" warning. Right now, the 14 day forecast des moines ia is doing that classic Iowa thing where it teases us with a mild start and then slams the door with a frigid, snowy reality check.
We just came off a weirdly warm stretch in early January 2026, but the honeymoon is over. As of Saturday, January 17, we are sitting at a crisp 11°F with a wind chill that makes it feel like -6°F. If you were planning on a light jacket today, don't. The northwest winds are sustained at 14 mph, and the humidity is hovering around 57%, giving the air that biting dampness that gets into your bones.
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Why the 14 day forecast des moines ia looks so chaotic right now
Basically, we are in the middle of a transition. The National Weather Service in Des Moines, specifically meteorologist Rod Donavon, has been tracking a shift back to "colder, seasonal averages." That’s code for "get the heavy boots out." Today, Saturday, we’re looking at a high of only 14°F. There's a 25% chance of light snow during the day, which might not sound like much, but when you combine it with 18 mph winds, visibility becomes a real gamble.
It's kinda funny how we define "normal" here. Jim Lee, another NWS expert, recently pointed out that the snow squalls we’re seeing aren't your typical 100-mile-wide storms. They’re narrow, intense bands. You could be driving in West Des Moines under clear skies and hit a wall of whiteout conditions two miles down the road in Clive. That’s what makes the current 14 day forecast des moines ia so tricky to pin down for commuters.
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The Week One Breakdown: Frigid lows and "Periodic Clouds"
Sunday, January 18, is going to be a bit of a rollercoaster. We might hit a high of 29°F, which sounds almost tropical compared to Saturday, but the overnight low is plummeting to 0°F. If you have plans for Sunday night, be aware that the wind is shifting to the west at a stout 20 mph.
- Monday, Jan 19: High 13°F / Low 0°F. Mostly cloudy with snow showers likely at night (35% chance).
- Tuesday, Jan 20: High 29°F / Low 7°F. We get a little break with some clear periods at night.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: High 34°F / Low 16°F. This is probably the "warmest" day of the work week.
- Thursday, Jan 22: High 32°F / Low 15°F. Mostly cloudy, typical gray Iowa winter day.
- Friday, Jan 23: High 29°F / Low 11°F. Watch out for snow showers Friday night as we head into the weekend.
Looking further out: The "Frigid" turn
The second half of the 14 day forecast des moines ia is where things get serious. By Saturday, January 24, we’re looking at a high of only 16°F and a low of -2°F. It doesn't stop there. Monday, January 26, is currently projected to bottom out at -8°F. That is "stay inside and order a pizza" weather.
What’s driving this? State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan has been talking about the weak La Niña pattern we’re currently in. While early January was mild, La Niña typically pushes more snowfall our way during the mid-to-late winter months. We’ve already seen this in action—November 2025 was actually the fifth-snowiest on record for the state, averaging 8.5 inches. That existing snowpack actually helps insulate the ground, but it also keeps the surface air colder.
The Science of the "Flash Freeze"
One thing the experts at Local 5 News, like Chief Meteorologist Chris Kuball, keep reminding us is the danger of the flash freeze. When we have these swings where it’s 34°F one day and -8°F the next, any melting snow or lingering moisture on the roads turns into a sheet of ice instantly.
Since the 1970s, Des Moines has actually warmed up by about 5.1 degrees on average during the winter. You’d think that means easier winters, but Dr. Glisan notes it actually leads to more "mixed precipitation" events. Instead of just getting 6 inches of powder, we get rain that turns to ice, which is way harder to shovel and much more dangerous to drive on.
If you are looking at the 14 day forecast des moines ia to plan a trip or a move, keep in mind that the end of January is historically our coldest period. The current data from PredictWind and World Weather suggests that while we might see 5 hours of sunshine on a "good" day, the UV index is a flat 0 or 1. Basically, the sun is just a bright light in the sky that offers zero warmth right now.
Actionable steps for the next 14 days
Don't let the 30-degree days fool you. The humidity is going to fluctuate from a dry 32% to a damp 86% by next Sunday, which changes how "cold" that cold actually feels.
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- Check the "Feels Like" Temp: On Saturday the 17th, the high is 14°F, but it will feel like -3°F to -18°F depending on when you step outside. Always dress for the "feels like" number, not the high.
- Watch the Winds: We have several days coming up with winds between 15-20 mph. If you’re driving a high-profile vehicle on I-235 or I-80, those northwest gusts will push you around.
- Prepare for the -8°F Low: Late next week (around Jan 26), those sub-zero lows are coming. Check your car battery now and make sure your outdoor faucets are covered.
- Stay updated on Squalls: Since meteorologists admit that pinning down the exact location of snow squalls is "beyond the current science," use a live radar app rather than just relying on the daily icon.
The outlook for the rest of January 2026 is a return to the classic, brutal Iowa winter. We've got a mix of light snow, potential squalls, and some truly nasty sub-zero temperatures on the horizon. Stay warm and keep an eye on those wind chill values.