Winter in Iowa isn't just a season. It’s a personality trait. Honestly, if you’ve lived in Des Moines for more than a week, you know the drill: check the sky, check the app, and then prepare for the exact opposite to happen by noon. But looking at the 30 day forecast for Des Moines, we’re actually seeing some patterns that suggest January 2026 is going to be a bit of a wild ride, even by our standards.
We just came off some record-shattering rain on January 8th and 9th. It felt more like a soggy April day than the middle of winter, with some spots in Iowa hitting over two inches of rain. That’s weird. Usually, January is our driest month, averaging only about 1.25 inches of liquid equivalent for the whole thirty-one days.
What the Next Few Weeks Look Like
Right now, the immediate window is looking pretty "classic Iowa." For Sunday, January 18, we’re dealing with a high of 24°F and a low of 3°F. There’s light snow in the air with about a 20% chance of accumulation, but the real kicker is the wind. It’s coming out of the southwest at 15 mph, which makes that 24 degrees feel a lot more like negative territory.
Monday is going to be a "bright but bitey" kind of day. We're looking at a high of 13°F and a low of 2°F. Mostly sunny, sure, but don't let the blue sky fool you into leaving your heavy parka at home.
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The middle of the week, around Wednesday, January 21, gives us a tiny break with a high of 30°F. It’s not exactly tropical, but compared to the single digits, it’s practically a heatwave. That’s followed by a dip back down toward the end of the month. The National Weather Service and the Climate Prediction Center are pointing toward a weak La Niña influence, which basically means we can expect high variability. One week we’re dodging ice, and the next we’re wondering if the grass is starting to turn green (spoiler: it isn't).
Historical Norms vs. 2026 Reality
Normally, Des Moines averages a high of 31°F and a low of 14°F in January.
We aren't really hitting those averages consistently this year.
Instead, we’re seeing "temperature rollercoasters."
Take a look at the projected end of the month:
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- Jan 24-25: Expect snow showers and highs struggling to get past 6°F to 13°F.
- Jan 26-27: A slight rebound into the high 20s.
- Late Jan into early Feb: Long-range models from the Almanac and CPC suggest a "frigid turn" after a potential snowstorm.
People always ask if it’s going to be a "heavy snow year." Honestly, while January typically brings about 3.2 inches of snow, the current 30 day forecast for Des Moines shows below-normal precipitation for the rest of the month. We might get the cold without the "pretty" white ground cover, which just means a lot of salt on the roads and dry skin.
Why the Des Moines Forecast is So Hard to Nail Down
The geography here is basically a giant playground for competing air masses. You’ve got the dry, cold air coming down from Canada and the moist air trying to creep up from the Gulf. When they meet over the East Village, things get messy.
Current data shows our humidity is sitting around 73% right now, which is high for winter. High humidity in the cold makes the air feel "heavy." It’s that damp cold that gets into your bones, the kind no amount of wool socks can totally fix.
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Survival Tips for the Next 30 Days
If you're planning to be out and about, especially with the wind chills expected to plunge between -15°F and -30°F on certain nights, you need more than just a coat.
- Layers are actually a science. You want a moisture-wicking base, an insulating middle, and a wind-blocking outer shell.
- Watch the southwest winds. In Des Moines, a southwesterly wind often brings a brief warmup, but it usually precedes a sharp cold front.
- Vehicle prep is non-negotiable. This isn't just "mom advice." With temperatures hitting 0°F or lower, older car batteries are going to give up the ghost. Check your tire pressure too, since it drops about 1 PSI for every 10-degree temp drop.
Looking ahead to February, the outlook suggests a shift. We might see things turn a bit wetter and warmer than average, with temperatures potentially hitting the mid-30s more consistently. But for the rest of January? It’s all about surviving the "frigid" periods and the occasional dusting of snow that turns I-235 into a skating rink.
Keep an eye on the barometer. When it drops fast, that's your cue that the "mostly sunny" forecast is about to be replaced by those signature Iowa gray clouds.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your anti-freeze levels today while it's still in the 20s. Once we hit that projected -1°F low on Friday, January 23, you won't want to be fumbling under the hood. Also, if you haven't swapped your wiper fluid for the "de-icer" version, do it before the next round of light snow hits this coming Sunday.