Right now, if you step outside in Des Moines, you aren’t just hitting a wall of cold; you’re hitting a wall of biology-altering freeze. It’s currently 9°F. Honestly, that number is a bit of a lie. The real story is the wind. With 14 mph gusts coming straight out of the northwest, the "feels like" temperature is actually -8°F.
It's cold.
When people search for the current temperature in Des Moines Iowa, they usually want to know if they need a heavy coat or if they can risk the dash from the car to the grocery store in a hoodie. Today, the answer is a hard no on the hoodie. This isn't the "crisp autumn" kind of cold. This is the "your nose hairs freeze instantly" kind of cold.
The Anatomy of a Des Moines Deep Freeze
The mercury is sitting at 9°F as we speak. We are deep in the nighttime hours of Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the sky is draped in a thick layer of clouds. Humidity is hovering around 66%, which is high enough to make that sub-zero wind chill feel like it’s biting right through your denim.
Earlier today, we saw a high of 13°F. That was our peak. Think about that for a second. Our absolute warmest moment of the day was still nearly twenty degrees below freezing. Most of central Iowa has been dealing with these narrow bands of snow showers and the occasional snow squall. It’s that tricky Iowa weather where it looks fine one minute, and then a "flash freeze" turns I-235 into a skating rink.
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Why the Wind is the Real Enemy
In Des Moines, we talk about the wind like it’s a neighbor we don't particularly like but have to deal with every day.
- Wind Speed: 14 mph
- Direction: Northwest
- Impact: Drops the perceived 9°F down to -8°F.
That -8°F is where things get dangerous. According to experts like Rod Donavon from the National Weather Service, these types of conditions aren't just uncomfortable—they're high-risk for frostbite if you're exposed for more than 30 minutes. The moisture in the air (that 66% humidity) actually conducts heat away from your body faster than dry air would.
What to Expect for the Rest of the Night
If you're planning on being out late or heading to work in the early morning hours, don't expect a reprieve. The low is holding steady at 9°F. There is a 10% chance of snow right now, but it's mostly just cloudy and oppressive.
Interestingly, we’re coming off a bit of a weird streak. Early January saw some above-average temperatures that had everyone thinking winter might go easy on us this year. Nope. We are firmly back into the seasonal averages, which for Des Moines in mid-January, means daytime highs that struggle to break 30°F and nights that regularly dip into the single digits.
Survival Tips for the 515
- Layer like an onion. A base layer that wicks moisture is vital because if you sweat even a little under your coat and that moisture sits on your skin, you’re going to freeze twice as fast.
- Watch the Northwest corners. Since the wind is coming from the northwest, the north and west-facing sides of buildings and parking lots will be significantly colder and more prone to ice buildup.
- Check your tires. Cold air causes tire pressure to drop. If your "low tire" light came on this morning, it’s likely just the 9°F air compressing the molecules inside.
The current temperature in Des Moines Iowa is a reminder that winter in the Heartland doesn't play around. It’s a quiet, cloudy, 9°F night that feels like -8°F. Basically, it's a perfect night to stay inside, turn up the furnace, and wait for the sun—even if the sun only brings us up to a blistering 13°F.
Check your furnace filters and make sure your car's emergency kit has a real blanket, not just a thin "emergency" foil one. If you have to travel, keep the Iowa 511 app open, as these snow squalls can drop visibility to near zero in seconds. Stay warm, Des Moines.