PlainClimate
2026 data Public-data reference. official source

Des Moines Wsfo-johnston, IA Climate

Temperature, precipitation, and comfort score from NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals →

30-year climate normals from 1 weather station (1991-2020).

Des Moines Wsfo-johnston, Iowa has an average annual temperature of 50°F and a climate comfort score of 62/100 (Good). Annual precipitation totals 36.2", including 38.0" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).

Avg Temperature

50°F (10°C)

Avg High

60°F

Avg Low

41°F

Annual Precip

36.2"

Annual Snow

38.0"

Comfort Score

62/100

Good

Climate Comfort Score

62/100

Good

Avg Annual Temperature

50°F

30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)

Annual Precipitation

36.2"

Plus 38.0" of snow

Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Des Moines Wsfo-johnston) 62.0%
National median (≈55)

PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Good for the Des Moines Wsfo-johnston area.

Warming context for Des Moines Wsfo-johnston

Methodology

How the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Des Moines Wsfo-johnston captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.

Warming context — U.S. vs global, with Paris reference lines Anomaly chart from 1900 to 2024. Local series shows warming of 0.11 °C per decade versus a global rate of 0.11 °C per decade (ratio 1.00). Paris Agreement thresholds at 1.5 and 2.0 °C are dashed. -1.0°C -0.5°C +0.0°C +0.5°C +1.0°C +1.5°C +2.0°C +2.5°C Paris 1.5°C Paris 2.0°C 1900192019401960198020002020
  • United States land mean (NOAA NCEI) +0.11 °C/decade
  • Global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
  • Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Sources: NOAA NCEI, NASA GISTEMP. Paris thresholds per IPCC AR6 WG1.

Monthly Temperatures

Average daily high and low temperatures by month

Month Avg High Avg Low Mean
January 30°F (-1°C) 13°F (-10°C) 22°F (-6°C)
February 35°F (2°C) 17°F (-8°C) 26°F (-3°C)
March 49°F (9°C) 29°F (-2°C) 39°F (4°C)
April 62°F (16°C) 40°F (5°C) 51°F (10°C)
May 72°F (22°C) 52°F (11°C) 62°F (17°C)
June 81°F (27°C) 62°F (17°C) 72°F (22°C)
July 85°F (29°C) 66°F (19°C) 75°F (24°C)
August 83°F (28°C) 64°F (18°C) 73°F (23°C)
September 76°F (25°C) 55°F (13°C) 66°F (19°C)
October 63°F (17°C) 43°F (6°C) 53°F (12°C)
November 48°F (9°C) 30°F (-1°C) 39°F (4°C)
December 35°F (2°C) 19°F (-7°C) 27°F (-3°C)

Monthly Precipitation

Average monthly rainfall and snowfall

January 1.0"

Snow: 9.7"

7.7 days with precipitation

February 1.3"

Snow: 10.5"

7.7 days with precipitation

March 2.1"

Snow: 5.0"

9.4 days with precipitation

April 4.0"

Snow: 1.6"

10.8 days with precipitation

May 4.8"

Snow: 0.2"

13.3 days with precipitation

June 5.3"

11.7 days with precipitation

July 4.3"

8.8 days with precipitation

August 4.0"

10.1 days with precipitation

September 3.4"

8.4 days with precipitation

October 2.5"

Snow: 0.5"

9.0 days with precipitation

November 1.9"

Snow: 2.2"

7.3 days with precipitation

December 1.5"

Snow: 8.3"

7.5 days with precipitation

Frost Dates & Growing Season

First Fall Freeze

October 18

50% probability date

Last Spring Freeze

April 19

50% probability date

Heating & Cooling Degree Days

Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling

Heating Degree Days

6,317

Higher = more heating needed

Cooling Degree Days

988

Higher = more cooling needed

Warmest Month

July

Coldest Month

January

Related Data

Climate Guides

Climate Insight: Des Moines Wsfo-johnston, IA

The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Des Moines Wsfo-johnston, Iowa as a location with an annual average temperature of 50°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 60°F to a mean daily low of 41°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from station USC00132209, smooth out year-to-year variability and give a baseline expectation for typical conditions in any given month.

Precipitation patterns matter as much as temperature for anyone planning to live, garden, or travel here. Des Moines Wsfo-johnston receives roughly 36.2 inches of precipitation each year, with 38.0 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near April 19 and the first fall freeze near October 18. For energy use, 6,317 heating degree days and 988 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.

On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Des Moines Wsfo-johnston scores 62/100 (Good), a blended measure that weighs temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, and extreme-weather frequency against one another. Use the monthly tables above to plan around specific windows — shoulder seasons for mild highs and lows, peak summer for July-driven heat, or deep winter for January-driven cold. All figures here are thirty-year averages: any single year may run warmer, wetter, drier, or cooler than the normal, so treat them as planning guidance rather than forecasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average temperature in Des Moines Wsfo-johnston, IA?
The average annual temperature in Des Moines Wsfo-johnston, Iowa is 50°F. The warmest month averages 85°F (29°C) and the coldest averages 13°F (-10°C).
How much rain does Des Moines Wsfo-johnston get?
Des Moines Wsfo-johnston receives 36.2 inches of precipitation annually, including 38.0 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Des Moines Wsfo-johnston?
Des Moines Wsfo-johnston has a climate comfort score of 62/100 (Good). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Des Moines Wsfo-johnston?
Growing season data is not available for Des Moines Wsfo-johnston.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Des Moines Wsfo-johnston?
Des Moines Wsfo-johnston has 6,317 heating degree days and 988 cooling degree days annually. Higher heating degree days indicate greater winter energy demand, while higher cooling degree days indicate greater summer cooling needs.
Where does this Des Moines Wsfo-johnston climate data come from?
All climate data comes from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1, covering the 30-year period from 1991 to 2020. Data is collected from weather station USC00132209. These 30-year averages are the standard reference for typical weather conditions.

Data Sources

Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). Station: USC00132209. For informational purposes only.

Related

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial