Honestly, if you've spent any time in Mahaska County, you know that New Sharon Iowa weather isn't just a topic of conversation—it’s a lifestyle. One day you’re digging your truck out of a drift, and a few months later, you’re trying to find a spot of shade by the North Skunk River to escape the humidity.
It’s temperamental. It’s dramatic. And it’s exactly what makes living in the Midwest feel like a constant adventure.
Today, January 18, 2026, we’re feeling the bite. As of 8:53 AM, the current temperature in New Sharon is a crisp 8°F, but with the wind coming out of the southwest at 9 mph, it actually feels like -4°F. If you’re heading out, you'll see a mostly cloudy sky with a slight 10% chance of snow. Basically, it’s a typical Iowa winter morning where the air hurts your face.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Local Climate
A lot of folks from out of state think Iowa is just a flat, frozen tundra six months of the year. That's kinda true for January, but the nuance is in the transition. New Sharon sits in a humid continental climate zone. This means we get the full, unadulterated four-season experience.
Winter is freezing and windy. Summer is long, humid, and wet.
The temperature usually swings between 11°F and 85°F over the course of a year. It’s pretty rare to see it dip below -3°F or climb over 94°F, though those record-breaking days definitely stick in your memory. Historically, the "comfortable" window—where you aren't shivering or melting—lasts about 154 days. That's about five months of decent weather if you're lucky.
The Forecast for the Week Ahead
If you’re looking at the next few days in New Sharon, keep the heavy coat handy.
- Sunday, Jan 18: We’re looking at a high of 22°F with some light snow possible during the day. Tonight, it drops to 2°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Expect it to stay mostly cloudy. High of 11°F and a low of 1°F. The west wind will be kicking up at 17 mph, so that "real feel" is going to stay well below zero.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: A slight bump up to 25°F with light snow showers.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: The "warm" day of the week with a high of 28°F.
By the time next weekend rolls around, we’re diving back into the single digits. Friday and Saturday (Jan 23-24) are looking particularly brutal with highs of 8°F and 5°F respectively.
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Severe Weather and the "Iowa Surprise"
We can't talk about New Sharon Iowa weather without mentioning the storms. Because we're in the heart of the Midwest, we get front-row seats to some intense atmospheric battles.
Severe storm season usually revs up in May and peaks in June. June is actually the wettest month here, averaging about 5.02 inches of rain. It's also when the wind likes to show off. Just this past year, the area has been under severe weather warnings 17 times. Radar has detected hail near New Sharon on dozens of occasions.
Remember the derecho events of years past? Or the EF-4 tornado that cut through southeast Iowa in May 2024? Those aren't just news stories to people here; they are reasons why every basement in town is stocked with flashlights and bottled water.
Rain, Snow, and the "Muggy" Factor
While June is the wettest, January is the driest, usually only seeing about 0.3 inches of actual liquid rainfall. Of course, that's because most of it is falling as snow. New Sharon gets about 29 inches of snow annually.
Then comes the humidity.
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July is the "sticky" month. The humidity stays high, and the dew points can make the air feel thick enough to chew. If you’re planning a visit, late June to early September is technically the best time for "warm-weather activities," but honestly, September is the real winner. The humidity drops, the skies clear up (August and September are the clearest months), and you can actually breathe.
Staying Prepared in Mahaska County
Living here requires a specific kind of mental flexibility. You keep an ice scraper in the car until May. You have a "go-bag" for the basement. You learn to read the clouds because sometimes the sirens don't give you much lead time.
Practical next steps for New Sharon residents:
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- Winterize the Rig: With temps dropping to 1°F tomorrow, check your battery and tire pressure. Cold snaps like this are notorious for killing older car batteries.
- Watch the Wind: Wednesday will see 15 mph gusts. If you have loose holiday decor still out, it might end up in the next county.
- Check the Pipes: When we hit those -3°F lows projected for next weekend, make sure your cabinets are open to let heat reach the plumbing, especially on north-facing walls.
New Sharon is a beautiful place to call home, but the weather is a demanding neighbor. Whether it's the 10.7 hours of daily sunshine in July or the -4°F wind chill we're dealing with this morning, you've just gotta take it as it comes.