NOAA climate atlas · updated August 2026
Iowa Climate Data
Climate normals for 143 station-mapped locations, each from its primary station in Iowa's 259-station NOAA network.
- average temperature
- 48°F (9°C)48.0°F · fleet p50 52.2°F · n=50
- Cooler than median
- annual precipitation
- 35.9"35.9 inches · fleet p50 43.7 inches · n=50
- Drier than median
- annual snowfall
- 32.2"32.2 inches · fleet p50 24.7 inches · n=50
- More snow than median
- locations / stations
- 143 / 259State coverage: 143 locations / 259 stations. Benchmark context: this profile's measured location and NOAA-station counts.
- State coverage
Iowa's climate in one line
Iowa averages 48°F a year - cooler than 72% of U.S. states, spanning Northwood at 43°F to Fort Madison at 52°F.
- 48°F
- statewide average · 28th percentile of states
- 36"
- average annual precipitation
- 68/100
- most comfortable: Allerton
- 143
- station-mapped locations · 259 NOAA stations
Statewide figures are simple averages across 143 station-mapped locations (each from its primary NOAA station), local conditions vary widely by elevation and coast distance.
How Iowa ranks among all 50 states
Iowa's average temperature vs. all U.S. states
Statewide annual mean temperature, NOAA 1991–2020 normals
48°F 28th percentile cooler than 72% of 50 U.S. states
- 30°F–35°F: 1 US states (2%). Below this entry.
- 35°F–40°F: 0 US states (0%). Below this entry.
- 40°F–45°F: 8 US states (16%). Below this entry.
- 45°F–50°F: 10 US states (20%). This entry sits in this band.
- 50°F–55°F: 12 US states (24%). Above this entry.
- 55°F–60°F: 8 US states (16%). Above this entry.
- 60°F–65°F: 7 US states (14%). Above this entry.
- 65°F–70°F: 2 US states (4%). Above this entry.
- 70°F–75°F: 2 US states (4%). Above this entry.
Source NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (statewide aggregate) · 1991–2020
Iowa in the national rankings
- Ranks #15 coldest of 50 states at 48.0°F annual average, 5.1°F below the 53.1°F mean of all state averages - see all 50 coldest states ranked by NOAA normals
- In winter (Dec–Feb) it averages 22.3°F, the #9 coldest winter of 50 states - winter ranking
- 47.9% of NOAA hourly observations report clear sky (7 measured locations), the #17 clearest of 47 ranked states - sunniest states by clear-sky frequency
Temperature × precipitation · 50-state landscape
Iowa in the national climate landscape
Iowa averages 48.0°F and 35.9 inches of annual precipitation across 143 station-mapped locations. Against the same complete 50-state cohort, that places it in the cooler and drier half of the chart. Dashed lines mark the national medians of 52.3°F and 43.7 inches.
Read all 50 state values
Each point is PlainClimate's simple average across the station-mapped location normals available for that state. Cohort sizes vary and are shown below; the values are not population weighted. Dashed lines mark the median of this 50-state comparison and are guides, not comfort or safety thresholds.
| State | Locations | Annual mean | Annual precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 172 | 33.5°F | 47.6 in |
| Alabama | 100 | 63.3°F | 57.9 in |
| Arkansas | 110 | 60.7°F | 52.2 in |
| Arizona | 169 | 62.3°F | 12.4 in |
| California | 363 | 59.8°F | 21.6 in |
| Colorado | 214 | 46.3°F | 15.9 in |
| Connecticut | 23 | 50.1°F | 48.6 in |
| Delaware | 7 | 56.2°F | 46.8 in |
| Florida | 165 | 72.6°F | 55.2 in |
| Georgia | 122 | 63.4°F | 52.0 in |
| Hawaii | 49 | 72.4°F | 48.5 in |
| Iowa | 143 | 48.0°F | 35.9 in |
| Idaho | 139 | 46.1°F | 18.0 in |
| Illinois | 163 | 52.2°F | 40.7 in |
| Indiana | 116 | 52.4°F | 43.7 in |
| Kansas | 168 | 54.8°F | 31.2 in |
| Kentucky | 95 | 56.2°F | 50.6 in |
| Louisiana | 91 | 67.3°F | 60.3 in |
| Massachusetts | 68 | 49.2°F | 48.2 in |
| Maryland | 42 | 55.6°F | 45.5 in |
| Maine | 79 | 43.1°F | 46.4 in |
| Michigan | 201 | 45.5°F | 34.2 in |
| Minnesota | 172 | 42.2°F | 30.0 in |
| Missouri | 164 | 55.1°F | 43.9 in |
| Mississippi | 91 | 64.1°F | 59.7 in |
| Montana | 215 | 43.4°F | 15.9 in |
| North Carolina | 178 | 59.1°F | 52.2 in |
| North Dakota | 119 | 41.0°F | 19.2 in |
| Nebraska | 171 | 49.6°F | 25.0 in |
| New Hampshire | 52 | 44.5°F | 46.6 in |
| New Jersey | 45 | 53.6°F | 47.9 in |
| New Mexico | 167 | 54.3°F | 13.8 in |
| Nevada | 115 | 52.4°F | 8.9 in |
| New York | 173 | 47.5°F | 43.7 in |
| Ohio | 128 | 51.6°F | 41.1 in |
| Oklahoma | 159 | 60.3°F | 35.7 in |
| Oregon | 180 | 50.5°F | 37.6 in |
| Pennsylvania | 157 | 50.2°F | 45.2 in |
| Rhode Island | 9 | 51.2°F | 48.7 in |
| South Carolina | 100 | 62.8°F | 49.8 in |
| South Dakota | 149 | 45.6°F | 21.8 in |
| Tennessee | 146 | 58.0°F | 56.0 in |
| Texas | 449 | 66.2°F | 31.1 in |
| Utah | 170 | 49.4°F | 13.9 in |
| Virginia | 119 | 55.8°F | 46.0 in |
| Vermont | 41 | 43.5°F | 43.7 in |
| Washington | 149 | 49.9°F | 40.9 in |
| Wisconsin | 200 | 44.5°F | 34.6 in |
| West Virginia | 99 | 52.3°F | 47.6 in |
| Wyoming | 144 | 43.3°F | 14.0 in |
Derived by PlainClimate from NOAA 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals · simple averages across each state's varying station-mapped-location cohort · data updated August 2026.
Iowa Climate in Context
U.S. land-mean temperature anomaly (NOAA NCEI) tracked against global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP). Paris Agreement 1.5°C and 2.0°C thresholds shown as reference lines. Iowa sits within this national warming envelope; individual station-mapped locations below show local readings against this trend.
- United States (incl. Iowa) +0.11 °C/decade
- Global (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
- Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Station-mapped locations in Iowa
143 locations with climate data
Scroll the table to browse every location, or use the complete CSV and JSON exports below.
| Location | Avg Temp | High | Low | Precip | Snow | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albia | 50°F | 60°F | 40°F | 36.5" | 30.0" | 59/100 |
| Algona | 46°F | 57°F | 35°F | 34.1" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Allerton | 50°F | 60°F | 40°F | 40.4" | N/A | 68/100 |
| Allison | 47°F | 57°F | 37°F | 35.4" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Ames | 48°F | 59°F | 37°F | 38.1" | 27.3" | 59/100 |
| Ames Muni | 49°F | 59°F | 38°F | 35.9" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Anamosa | 47°F | 58°F | 36°F | 40.1" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Ankeny | 50°F | 60°F | 39°F | 37.0" | 24.7" | 59/100 |
| Atlantic | 49°F | 61°F | 37°F | 37.1" | 27.3" | 59/100 |
| Audubon | 47°F | 58°F | 36°F | 35.0" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Battle Creek | 47°F | 58°F | 36°F | 32.1" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Beaconsfield | 49°F | 59°F | 39°F | 38.0" | 26.5" | 59/100 |
| Bedford | 50°F | 61°F | 40°F | 38.4" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Belle Plaine | 48°F | 59°F | 38°F | 36.0" | 27.9" | 59/100 |
| Bellevue L&d | 49°F | 59°F | 39°F | 37.8" | 31.9" | 59/100 |
| Bloomfield | 51°F | 61°F | 42°F | 39.1" | 24.2" | 63/100 |
| Boone | 48°F | 59°F | 37°F | 39.1" | 35.9" | 59/100 |
| Britt | 46°F | 56°F | 36°F | 34.3" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Burlington | 51°F | 61°F | 41°F | 41.0" | 21.8" | 63/100 |
| Burlington Muni | 52°F | 61°F | 43°F | 37.9" | N/A | 68/100 |
| Carroll | 48°F | 59°F | 38°F | 33.7" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Cascade | 48°F | 58°F | 38°F | 39.3" | 31.1" | 59/100 |
| Castana Exp Farm | 48°F | 59°F | 38°F | 32.1" | 28.6" | 59/100 |
| Cedar Rapids | 50°F | 61°F | 39°F | 38.8" | 34.3" | 59/100 |
| Cedar Rapids Muni | 48°F | 58°F | 38°F | 35.9" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Centerville | 50°F | 61°F | 39°F | 36.0" | 21.5" | 59/100 |
| Chariton | 48°F | 60°F | 37°F | 37.3" | 24.1" | 59/100 |
| Charles City | 47°F | 56°F | 37°F | 37.7" | 37.5" | 59/100 |
| Cherokee | 47°F | 58°F | 35°F | 31.2" | 37.8" | 59/100 |
| Clarinda | 50°F | 62°F | 39°F | 36.6" | 22.8" | 59/100 |
| Clarion | 47°F | 58°F | 36°F | 34.3" | 31.1" | 59/100 |
| Clinton | 50°F | 60°F | 41°F | 36.5" | 31.9" | 59/100 |
| Coggon | 47°F | 57°F | 36°F | 39.1" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Colo | 48°F | 58°F | 38°F | 36.5" | 30.6" | 59/100 |
| Columbus Junction | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 38.8" | 31.3" | 59/100 |
| Corning | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 35.3" | 27.8" | 59/100 |
| Cresco | 45°F | 56°F | 34°F | 38.0" | 40.3" | 59/100 |
| Creston | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 37.9" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Dakota City | 47°F | 57°F | 37°F | 35.8" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Davenport | 50°F | 60°F | 40°F | 36.2" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Decorah | 49°F | 59°F | 38°F | 37.6" | 37.5" | 59/100 |
| Denison | 48°F | 58°F | 37°F | 33.6" | 34.5" | 59/100 |
| Des Moines | 51°F | 61°F | 41°F | 36.5" | 36.5" | 63/100 |
| Des Moines Wsfo-johnston | 50°F | 60°F | 41°F | 36.2" | 38.0" | 63/100 |
| Donnellson | 52°F | 62°F | 41°F | 39.2" | 26.6" | 63/100 |
| Dubuque L&d | 48°F | 58°F | 39°F | 38.8" | 36.1" | 63/100 |
| Dubuque Rgnl | 47°F | 56°F | 38°F | 38.2" | 42.5" | 59/100 |
| Eldora | 47°F | 57°F | 37°F | 37.9" | 33.2" | 59/100 |
| Elkader | 46°F | 57°F | 35°F | 38.8" | 35.6" | 59/100 |
| Emmetsburg | 47°F | 58°F | 37°F | 33.6" | 37.1" | 59/100 |
| Estherville | 45°F | 56°F | 34°F | 31.7" | N/A | 52/100 |
| Estherville Muni | 45°F | 55°F | 35°F | 29.3" | N/A | 52/100 |
| Fairfield | 50°F | 60°F | 40°F | 38.4" | 21.7" | 59/100 |
| Fayette | 45°F | 56°F | 34°F | 39.5" | 41.1" | 59/100 |
| Forest City | 45°F | 55°F | 35°F | 35.9" | N/A | 52/100 |
| Fort Dodge | 47°F | 57°F | 36°F | 35.1" | 39.0" | 59/100 |
| Fort Madison | 52°F | 61°F | 43°F | 39.4" | 18.1" | 68/100 |
| Glenwood | 51°F | 63°F | 39°F | 34.8" | 23.7" | 59/100 |
| Greenfield | 49°F | 59°F | 39°F | 36.5" | 25.5" | 59/100 |
| Grinnell | 48°F | 58°F | 37°F | 38.2" | 31.0" | 59/100 |
| Grundy Ctr | 47°F | 57°F | 37°F | 36.8" | 32.3" | 59/100 |
| Guthrie Ctr | 48°F | 60°F | 37°F | 37.1" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Guttenberg L&d | 49°F | 58°F | 39°F | 37.3" | 34.4" | 59/100 |
| Hampton | 47°F | 57°F | 36°F | 38.1" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Harlan | 50°F | 61°F | 38°F | 34.3" | 30.5" | 59/100 |
| Hawarden | 47°F | 58°F | 35°F | 29.9" | 30.6" | 59/100 |
| Holstein | 47°F | 57°F | 37°F | 33.2" | 35.3" | 59/100 |
| Humboldt Wtp | 46°F | 55°F | 37°F | 35.0" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Ida Grove | 48°F | 58°F | 37°F | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Independence | 47°F | 58°F | 36°F | 37.4" | 33.9" | 59/100 |
| Indianola | 50°F | 61°F | 39°F | 37.8" | 30.8" | 59/100 |
| Iowa City | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 38.5" | 27.5" | 59/100 |
| Iowa City Muni | 51°F | 61°F | 41°F | 35.7" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Iowa Falls | 47°F | 57°F | 36°F | 38.1" | 27.7" | 59/100 |
| Jefferson | 48°F | 58°F | 37°F | 35.3" | 31.7" | 59/100 |
| Keokuk Lock Dam | 52°F | 62°F | 43°F | 39.8" | N/A | 68/100 |
| Keosauqua | 51°F | 61°F | 40°F | 39.7" | 23.0" | 59/100 |
| Knoxville | 50°F | 60°F | 40°F | 37.5" | N/A | 68/100 |
| Lake Park | 46°F | 57°F | 36°F | 31.4" | 41.0" | 59/100 |
| Lamoni | 51°F | 61°F | 41°F | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lamoni Muni | 52°F | 61°F | 42°F | 37.4" | N/A | 68/100 |
| LE Claire L&d | 51°F | 60°F | 41°F | 37.1" | N/A | 68/100 |
| LE Mars | 47°F | 58°F | 35°F | 30.0" | 30.9" | 59/100 |
| Leon | 50°F | 61°F | 38°F | 39.3" | 28.5" | 59/100 |
| Little Sioux | 48°F | 60°F | 36°F | 39.8" | 45.6" | 59/100 |
| Logan | 49°F | 61°F | 38°F | 34.4" | 28.7" | 59/100 |
| Lowden | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 39.6" | 39.8" | 59/100 |
| Manchester | 46°F | 57°F | 36°F | 38.6" | 34.7" | 59/100 |
| Mapleton | 47°F | 58°F | 36°F | 32.2" | 31.1" | 59/100 |
| Maquoketa | 48°F | 57°F | 38°F | 36.7" | 30.3" | 59/100 |
| Marshalltown | 48°F | 58°F | 37°F | 37.9" | 25.3" | 59/100 |
| Marshalltown Muni | 48°F | 58°F | 37°F | 32.8" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Mason City | 46°F | 56°F | 36°F | 36.3" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Mason City Muni | 46°F | 56°F | 35°F | 36.3" | 44.4" | 59/100 |
| Milford | 46°F | 56°F | 36°F | 29.5" | 38.0" | 59/100 |
| Mt Ayr | 50°F | 60°F | 39°F | 37.0" | 20.5" | 59/100 |
| Mt Pleasant | 50°F | 61°F | 39°F | 38.5" | 24.8" | 59/100 |
| Muscatine | 51°F | 61°F | 40°F | 40.0" | 23.5" | 59/100 |
| New Hampton | 45°F | 55°F | 35°F | 40.6" | 38.5" | 49/100 |
| Newton | 49°F | 59°F | 38°F | 35.1" | 28.7" | 59/100 |
| Northwood | 43°F | 53°F | 33°F | 35.5" | 40.2" | 49/100 |
| Oakland | 49°F | 60°F | 39°F | 36.4" | 28.0" | 59/100 |
| Oelwein | 48°F | 58°F | 37°F | 35.4" | 39.3" | 59/100 |
| Onawa | 49°F | 61°F | 36°F | 29.9" | 31.0" | 59/100 |
| Osage | 45°F | 55°F | 36°F | 37.6" | 39.6" | 59/100 |
| Osceola | 50°F | 61°F | 38°F | 38.7" | 28.1" | 59/100 |
| Oskaloosa | 50°F | 61°F | 39°F | 38.7" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Ottumwa Industrial | 51°F | 61°F | 40°F | 37.0" | 23.6" | 59/100 |
| Perry | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 36.1" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Pocahontas | 47°F | 58°F | 36°F | 32.8" | 38.8" | 59/100 |
| Postville | 46°F | 57°F | 35°F | 38.9" | 39.8" | 59/100 |
| Primghar | 48°F | 58°F | 38°F | 31.4" | 34.8" | 59/100 |
| Rathbun Dam | 50°F | 61°F | 40°F | 38.6" | N/A | 68/100 |
| Red Oak | 51°F | 62°F | 40°F | 37.2" | 27.4" | 59/100 |
| Rock Rapids | 46°F | 57°F | 35°F | 29.3" | 34.9" | 59/100 |
| Rockwell City | 47°F | 58°F | 37°F | 33.8" | 32.1" | 59/100 |
| Sac City | 47°F | 57°F | 36°F | 33.0" | 30.9" | 59/100 |
| Sanborn | 45°F | 56°F | 35°F | 32.1" | 41.4" | 59/100 |
| Sheldon | 45°F | 56°F | 34°F | 31.1" | 40.8" | 49/100 |
| Shenandoah | 52°F | 63°F | 41°F | 36.4" | 26.4" | 59/100 |
| Sibley | 45°F | 55°F | 34°F | 30.2" | 41.5" | 49/100 |
| Sidney | 51°F | 62°F | 40°F | 33.3" | 20.6" | 63/100 |
| Sigourney | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 37.4" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Sioux City Ang | 48°F | 60°F | 36°F | 30.3" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Sioux City Gateway | 49°F | 60°F | 37°F | 29.3" | 36.0" | 59/100 |
| Sioux Ctr | 48°F | 59°F | 37°F | 29.9" | 34.8" | 59/100 |
| Sioux Rapids | 46°F | 56°F | 37°F | 32.0" | 35.2" | 59/100 |
| Spencer | 46°F | 57°F | 36°F | 31.0" | 43.3" | 59/100 |
| Spencer Muni | 47°F | 57°F | 36°F | 26.8" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Spirit Lake | 46°F | 55°F | 36°F | 29.1" | 41.5" | 59/100 |
| Stanley | 45°F | 56°F | 35°F | 38.6" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Storm Lake | 47°F | 57°F | 38°F | 33.8" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Swea City | 44°F | 54°F | 34°F | 32.9" | 39.7" | 49/100 |
| Tipton | 49°F | 59°F | 39°F | 36.5" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Toledo | 47°F | 58°F | 37°F | 35.3" | 32.8" | 59/100 |
| Tripoli | 46°F | 57°F | 36°F | 38.6" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Vinton | 46°F | 56°F | 36°F | 37.9" | 33.6" | 59/100 |
| Washington | 49°F | 60°F | 38°F | 37.9" | 25.2" | 59/100 |
| Waterloo | 49°F | 59°F | 39°F | 36.3" | 39.1" | 59/100 |
| Waukon | 45°F | 55°F | 36°F | 39.2" | N/A | 64/100 |
| Webster City | 46°F | 57°F | 35°F | 37.2" | 32.9" | 59/100 |
| Williamsburg | 48°F | 59°F | 38°F | 37.7" | 28.1" | 59/100 |
| Winterset | 48°F | 59°F | 37°F | 34.8" | 30.7" | 59/100 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 · 1991-2020 Statewide aggregates for Iowa computed as the simple average across its 143 station-mapped locations, each represented by its primary NOAA station (259 stations in the state network).
Climate Insight: Iowa
Iowa's climate profile is aggregated from 143 station-mapped locations and 259 NOAA weather stations reporting under the 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals program. The statewide average annual temperature sits at 48°F, which is the simple average across all tracked station-mapped locations rather than any single station's reading. Because Iowa spans multiple latitudes, elevations, and proximities to large water bodies, local conditions can differ from this headline number by wide margins; coastal, valley, and mountain stations often diverge by ten degrees or more even within a single month.
Precipitation and snowfall averages round out the climatological picture. Across Iowa, annual precipitation averages 35.9 inches, with typical seasonal snowfall near 32.2 inches statewide. These numbers combine rain, sleet, and snow water-equivalent and describe the thirty-year normal rather than any particular recent year. Readers evaluating a specific destination should drill into one of the 143 individual location profiles below; each station record varies with local geography, and the statewide figures here are averages that mask meaningful intrastate differences.
For planning purposes, the location table above is sorted to help you compare averages side-by-side: annual mean temperature, average daily high and low, precipitation totals, snowfall, and PlainClimate's climate comfort score. That 1–100 score combines temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, snowfall burden, and frost-free growing-season length from each location's NOAA normal. It is a climate-only comparison, not a NOAA or overall livability rating. Use it as a starting point, then open each location profile for the exact score inputs, monthly breakdowns, degree-day totals, frost dates, and separately reported humidity metrics.
Nationwide similar states
Other states closest to Iowa on two NOAA statewide-average axes (annual temperature and annual precipitation). Chip rows use distinct link sets.
Closest by average temperature
Nearest 50-state peers by avg_temp (48°F here).
- New York 48°F · 0.5°F off
- Massachusetts 49°F · 1.2°F off
- Utah 49°F · 1.4°F off
- Nebraska 50°F · 1.6°F off
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average temperature in Iowa? ▼
Does the climate vary a lot within Iowa? ▼
Where does Iowa rank nationally for temperature? ▼
What is the most comfortable station-mapped location in Iowa? ▼
Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). For informational purposes only.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainClimate is rendered directly from NOAA 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals data, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.