Winter in Iowa isn't just a season; it’s a personality trait. Honestly, if you live in Des Moines, you've probably realized that checking the des moines weather 14 day forecast is basically a daily ritual, right up there with grabbing coffee or complaining about the I-235 traffic. But here’s the thing: most people look at those little cloud icons and think they know exactly how their next two weeks will go. They’re usually wrong.
We are currently sitting in the middle of January 2026, and the atmosphere is doing that weird, shaky dance it does when a weak La Niña is trying to decide if it wants to stay or go. Right now, as of Thursday night, January 15, it’s about 30°F outside. It feels like 21°F because of a 9 mph breeze coming off the southwest. It’s "mostly cloudy," which is the official meteorologist way of saying "gray."
The Reality of the Des Moines Weather 14 Day Forecast
If you’re looking at the immediate des moines weather 14 day forecast, you need to brace for a rollercoaster. Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, is going to be a mess. We’re looking at a high of 33°F and a low of 14°F, but the real kicker is the wind—gusting up to 18 mph from the northwest. There’s a solid 20-25% chance of light snow and snow showers. It's that annoying kind of snow that makes the morning commute feel like a high-stakes video game.
Saturday is when the floor drops out. The high only hits 14°F. That’s it. By Sunday, we might see 33°F again, but don't get comfortable. The pattern for the rest of the week is basically a series of "mini-seasons" crammed into 48-hour windows.
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Why the Forecast Changes So Fast
Des Moines is in a geographic sweet spot—or sour spot, depending on how much you hate shoveling—where cold Canadian air masses collide with moisture pulling up from the Gulf. This week, we're seeing the classic "northwest flow" behind a cold front.
National Weather Service experts out of the Johnston office have been tracking a frontal boundary that’s essentially a vacuum for dry air. That’s why you’ll see "70% chance of snow" on your phone, but you look outside and it’s just... nothing. The snow is evaporating before it even hits the pavement. It’s called virga, and it’s the reason your weather app sometimes looks like it’s lying to you.
What Most People Miss About Iowa Winters
Most folks focus on the temperature, but in Iowa, the wind is the real boss. A 14°F day with no wind is actually kinda nice for a walk at Gray’s Lake. But a 30°F day with a 30 mph gust? That’ll cut right through your best parka.
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For the next 14 days, the wind is shifting constantly. We’ve got south winds tonight, northwest winds tomorrow, and west winds by Sunday. Each shift brings a totally different air mass.
- The South Wind: This is the "warm" liar. It brings the temps up to the 30s but usually drags in enough humidity to make the air feel damp and raw.
- The Northwest Wind: This is the "Arctic Gate." When you see this on the forecast, expect the humidity to drop and the temperature to tank.
- The "Nothing" Wind: Occasionally, the wind dies down. In January, that usually means a high-pressure system is sitting right on top of us, leading to those gorgeous, blindingly sunny days where it’s actually 7°F outside.
Looking Into Next Week
By the time we hit Tuesday, January 20, things stabilize a bit. We’re looking at a high of 31°F and a low of 13°F. It’s mostly cloudy, which honestly is the standard aesthetic for Des Moines this time of year.
If you're planning further out—like toward the end of the month—the long-range signals are pointing toward a "frigid" turn. The Old Farmer’s Almanac and several long-range models suggest that the last week of January might bring a more significant snowstorm followed by a deep freeze. This aligns with the "weak La Niña" patterns we’ve seen historically, where the polar vortex gets a bit wobbly and starts leaking cold air into the Midwest.
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How to Actually Use This Info
Stop looking at the 14-day forecast as a promise. Treat it like a suggestion.
If you have a big event on January 24, look at the trend, not the number. Right now, the trend for that Saturday is a high of 21°F with a low of 14°F. It’s likely to be gray. If you’re planning a drive to Omaha or Iowa City, keep an eye on those wind speeds. Anything over 20 mph in January usually means blowing snow and reduced visibility, even if it hasn't snowed in days.
Essential Survival Steps
- Check the Dew Point: If the temperature is 32°F and the dew point is 10°F, that snow isn't going to stick well. If they’re close together, expect slushy, heavy mess.
- Layer for the Wind, Not the Temp: A windbreaker over a fleece is better than a giant wool coat that lets the breeze through the weave.
- Watch the "Feels Like": Tomorrow’s "feels like" is going to be in the single digits despite the high being 33°F. Don't let the thermometer fool you into leaving your gloves at home.
- Subsurface Insulation: We actually have a decent snowpack right now from earlier in the month. This is great for your garden because it keeps the frost from going too deep, but it also means the ground stays cold, so any new rain or sleet will freeze instantly on your driveway.
Basically, the next two weeks in Des Moines are going to be a test of patience. We'll see some sun on Monday (high of 14°F), but mostly it's a game of dodging light snow and staying out of the wind. Keep your scraper in the car and your expectations low.
Make sure your car's tires are properly inflated, as these 20-degree temp swings will definitely trigger your pressure light. Also, if you haven't switched to winter-grade washer fluid yet, do it before Saturday's deep freeze hits.