Honestly, if you’ve lived in central Iowa for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up, check the sky, and realize the "plan" you had for the day is basically irrelevant because the sky decided otherwise. Right now, looking at the 14 day forecast for des moines iowa, we’re staring down a classic January roller coaster that’s gonna make your head spin.
It’s currently Thursday night, January 15, 2026. If you step outside right now, it’s about 29°F, but it feels like 19°F. That’s the Iowa tax—the wind. It’s coming from the southwest at 9 mph, making things just bitey enough to remind you that winter isn't playing around.
The Immediate Chaos: Snow Squalls and "Vibes"
Tomorrow is where things get weird. Friday, January 16, starts off mostly cloudy with a high of 33°F. But don't get cozy. The National Weather Service already slapped a Winter Weather Advisory on us starting at 6 a.m. and running until 9 p.m.
Why? Snow showers and these nasty little things called snow squalls.
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We aren't talking a massive blizzard here—maybe an inch of accumulation—but the wind is going to be screaming at 20 mph with gusts hitting 40 to 45 mph. If you’re commuting on I-235 or I-80, expect those "whiteout" moments where you can't see the bumper in front of you. It’s gonna be a mess. By Friday night, we drop to a low of 9°F.
The Big Dip and the False Hope
Saturday, January 17, is just... cold. 15°F for a high. Light snow. You’ll probably want to stay in and watch whatever’s on. But then, Sunday through Tuesday, we see this weird little bounce. Sunday hits 31°F, and by Wednesday, January 21, it actually climbs to 42°F.
People think that’s "spring." It’s not. It’s a trap.
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By the time we hit the end of next week, the temperatures start sagging again.
- Thursday (Jan 22): Partly sunny, 29°F high, 21°F low.
- Friday (Jan 23): Cloudy, 33°F with a 25% chance of snow.
- Sunday (Jan 25): We crater. A high of 10°F and a low of 3°F.
Why the Forecast Changes So Fast
Des Moines sits in this weird geographic pocket where we get the dry air from the plains and the moisture from the south duking it out right over the State Capitol. This year, 2026, has already been weird. Remember that "heatwave" back on January 7th where golfers were actually out at Terrace Hills in Altoona? That was unseasonable as heck.
The data from the State Climatologist, Justin Glisan, usually reminds us that January is our driest month, but when it does hit, it hits in bursts. We’re seeing that now with the 10-25% precipitation chances scattered across the next two weeks.
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What You Should Actually Do
If you're trying to plan your life around this 14 day forecast for des moines iowa, here is the reality:
- Friday (Jan 16) is the danger zone. Keep the Iowa 511 app open. Those wind gusts are legit.
- Wednesday (Jan 21) is your window. If you have errands, outdoor chores, or just need to walk the dog without losing an ear to frostbite, that 42°F day is your best bet.
- Layering is a science. When it's 10°F on Sunday the 25th, your "big coat" isn't enough. You need base layers.
Expect the tail end of January (the 26th through the 31st) to turn even more frigid. Historical trends and the current long-range modeling suggest we might be heading into a "polar vortex" rupture similar to what happened back in 2024.
Basically, keep the salt by the door and your gas tank at least half full. This forecast is a moving target, so check the updates before you head out to work every morning.
Actionable Next Steps: Check your vehicle's tire pressure tonight; the sudden drop from 33°F to 9°F tomorrow will likely trigger your sensor. Download the Iowa 511 app now to monitor the snow squall visibility issues predicted for the Friday morning commute.