Honestly, if you've lived in Polk County 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 toast. Des Moines weather doesn't just change; it pivots like a nervous politician. Right now, as we sit in the middle of January 2026, the ten day forecast Des Moines Iowa looks like a chaotic mix of arctic highs and sudden snow showers that’ll make your head spin.
People always talk about the "average" Iowa winter. But what is average? Is it the 12°F high we're seeing today, or the weirdly balmy 29°F expected by Thursday?
The Immediate Outlook: Shovels and Shivers
Let’s get into the weeds. Today, Saturday, January 17, is basically a "stay inside and drink coffee" kind of day. We're looking at a high of 12°F with light snow showers already kicking off. The northwest wind is cutting through everything at 15 to 16 mph, making that 10-degree air feel like a brutal -6°F. If you're heading out to the East Village or hitting the Jordan Creek area, just know that visibility is hovering around 5 miles because of the blowing flakes.
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Tomorrow is arguably weirder. We’ll see a "warm-up"—if you can call it that—to 27°F, but it comes with a price. A quick round of light snow is hitting the northeastern half of the state in the morning, followed by a cold front that’s going to bring some serious wind. We’re talking gusts that could hit advisory levels.
Why the Ten Day Forecast Des Moines Iowa is Such a Rollercoaster
It’s mostly about those fast-moving impulses coming down from Canada. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Johnston (shout out to the team on NW Beaver Drive) are tracking a series of shortwaves. Basically, these are little ripples in the atmosphere that bring quick bursts of snow without much warning.
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Here is what the next few days look like in plain English:
- Monday, Jan 19: It’s gonna be crisp. High of 13°F, but the overnight low drops to a bone-chilling 3°F. If you’re commuting for MLK Day, the roads should be mostly clear, but the wind chill will be in the negatives.
- Mid-Week (Jan 20-22): This is your window. Temperatures "moderate" into the high 20s. Tuesday hits 27°F and Thursday might even touch 29°F. It'll stay mostly cloudy, which is classic Des Moines for January—we usually only see about 42% of the possible sunshine this month.
- The Weekend Return (Jan 23-25): Winter remembers it’s winter. Another system pulls through Friday and Saturday, dropping highs back into the low teens. Expect more snow showers and humidity levels spiking to near 77%, making that cold air feel extra heavy.
Real Talk on "Blizzard" vs. "Snowstorm"
You’ll hear people at the Hy-Vee checkout line saying "It's a blizzard out there!" whenever there’s an inch of snow. Kinda annoying, right? Technically, according to the NWS, it’s only a blizzard if you have sustained winds of 35 mph and visibility under a quarter-mile for at least three hours. Most of what we’re seeing in this ten-day stretch are just "snow showers" or "squalls." Dangerous? Yes. A blizzard? Not quite.
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But don't let the terminology fool you. Even a "light snow" day in Iowa can turn I-80 into a skating rink in twenty minutes. Chad Hahn and the team at the Des Moines NWS office emphasize that it’s the rate of change that catches people off guard.
Survival Tactics for the Next 10 Days
- Watch the Dewpoint: It’s currently around -1°F. When the dewpoint is that low, any moisture on the roads freezes instantly. Black ice is the real enemy this week, not the visible snow.
- Humidity Matters: We’re looking at 91% relative humidity on some of these colder days. That "wet" cold goes straight to your bones. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer; cotton is your enemy when it's 10 degrees.
- The West Wind Factor: Most of our wind this week is coming from the Northwest or West. If you’re driving north on I-35 toward Ames, expect those crosswinds to push your SUV around.
The reality of the ten day forecast Des Moines Iowa is that by the time you reach Monday, January 26, we’ll be back to a high of 20°F and mostly cloudy skies. It’s a cycle. We get a little snow, a lot of wind, and a brief moment of "warmth" where the ice on your driveway almost melts before freezing into a solid sheet again.
Stay safe out there, keep your gas tank at least half full, and maybe grab an extra bag of salt for the sidewalk. You're going to need it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Road Conditions: Before heading out, use the Iowa 511 app. With the snow showers expected on Sunday and next Friday, the ramp transitions on I-235 are notorious for slick spots.
- Prepare for Wind Chills: Monday morning will see wind chills in the -10°F to -20°F range. Ensure any outdoor pets have insulated shelter and minimize your own skin exposure if you're waiting for the DART bus.
- Audit Your Emergency Kit: Given the gusty northwest winds predicted for Sunday afternoon, localized power flickers aren't out of the question. Make sure your flashlights actually have working batteries.