Des Moines (WA) Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Des Moines’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United States of America.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Visitors to Des Moines will encounter a climate influenced by big temperature differences across the year. On average, maximum daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 25°C in July to a chilly 7°C in December. Nighttime temperatures can drop, with averages reaching 2°C in December.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Des Moines by month:
The lowest temperatures typically occur between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the peak temperatures are generally observed around 3 PM, when the sun's heating is most intense. July, the city’s warmest month, enjoys 312 hours of sunshine.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
December, the city’s coldest month, receives about 148 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 20 days. For more information, please visit our Des Moines Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in the United States of America Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
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Des Moines Temperatures Compared World Wide
Des Moines’s average annual maximum temperature is 16°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.
In contrast, in Oslo, Norway, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 23°C, featuring hot summers and mild winters.
Melbourne, Australia, has a slightly cooler climate, with an average annual temperature of 20°C.
How does the temperature feel?
Humidity is an essential factor in how you experience temperature. When a warm period is accompanied by high humidity, it results in a higher perceived temperature. This is especially true when temperatures exceed 25°C, as it can cause greater discomfort.
On the other hand, in cooler months, especially when temperatures dip below 10°C, high humidity can intensify the cold. This makes the air feel much colder than it really is.
In Des Moines, during the coolest month, December, you will experience 80% humidity, which is considered very high. This is accompanied by an average maximum temperature of 7°C. In the warmest month, July, the humidity is 65% combined with an average maximum temperature of 25°C, which creates a high-feel temperature. Explore our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Sea vs. Land Temperatures
The influence of nearby oceans or large water bodies significantly affects local temperatures:
- Ocean Influence: Coastal regions tend to have more stable temperatures, as large bodies of water absorb and release heat slowly. This often results in milder winters and cooler summers compared to inland areas.
- Continental Climates: Landmasses well away from large bodies of water tend to show greater extremes in temperature, having hotter summers and colder winters because of the absence of water as a moderating influence.
For more detailed information about Des Moines’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Des Moines climate page.
Current temperature in Des Moines (WA)
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