Des Moines (IA) Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Des Moines (IA). The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let’s explore the details in depth to provide you with a complete overview.

Generally, Des Moines experiences moderate precipitation patterns, averaging 959 mm yearly.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm)

The climate in Des Moines shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 158 mm of precipitation during the wettest month June, distributed over 12 rainy days.

In contrast, January offers drier and sunnier days, with around 21 mm of snowfall over 7 snowy days.

June, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 28°C and receives 311 hours of sunshine. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of -1°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Des Moines Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in the United States of America

The map below shows the annual precipitation across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Des Moines’s average annual precipitation is 959 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.

How is Precipitation Measured?

Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.

Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.

Interesting weather facts

• "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
• The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm wide and 20 cm thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
• The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters fell during the winter of 1972.

For more detailed information about Des Moines (IA)’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Des Moines (IA) Climate page.