ClimateForecastDecemberJanuary >>

Weather in December in Iowa

Considering a trip to Iowa this December and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What is the weather like in Iowa in December?

Iowa is a region in the United States of America. December in Iowa generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with moderate precipitation. December is a winter month.

Temperatures

The average highest temperatures fluctuate between very cold in Okoboji at -2°C to cold in Keokuk at 4°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -5°C in Keokuk and -11°C in Okoboji. In numerous regions in the United States of America, December is marked by its cold weather conditions. If you're heading to these areas during this month, it's vital to be well-prepared. Dressing in layered and insulated outfits will ensure you stay warm.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snowfall in Okoboji with an average of 32 mm to moderate snowfall in Davenport with 73 mm.

Average sunshine

Des Moines enjoys a balanced 129 hours of sunlight. Ensuring it's neither too overcast nor too sunny.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Iowa in December, check out the map below. For more details on the yearly weather, visit our Iowa climate page.

Where to go in Iowa in December

Find more information for the most popular destinations in the Iowa on the map below. Click on a destination dot for more detailes.

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

Popular destinations

What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Iowa?

Des Moines

In December Des Moines generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Des Moines
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snow/rainfall precipitationSnow/rainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
10°C 
-1°C 
141 hours 
40 mm 
7 days 
poor 
2°C 
-7°C 
129 hours 
58 mm 
9 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-1°C 
-10°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
7 days 
poor 
Climate in Des Moines

West Des Moines

In December West Des Moines generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

West Des Moines
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snow/rainfall precipitationSnow/rainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
10°C 
-1°C 
141 hours 
40 mm 
7 days 
poor 
2°C 
-8°C 
129 hours 
57 mm 
9 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-1°C 
-11°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
7 days 
poor 
Climate in West Des Moines

Ames

In December Ames generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Ames
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snow/rainfall precipitationSnow/rainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
9°C 
-2°C 
141 hours 
44 mm 
7 days 
poor 
1°C 
-9°C 
129 hours 
56 mm 
9 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-2°C 
-12°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
6 days 
poor 
Climate in Ames

Urbandale

In December Urbandale generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Urbandale
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snow/rainfall precipitationSnow/rainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
10°C 
-1°C 
141 hours 
43 mm 
7 days 
poor 
2°C 
-8°C 
129 hours 
58 mm 
9 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-1°C 
-11°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
6 days 
poor 
Climate in Urbandale

Ankeny

In December Ankeny generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Ankeny
minimum temparatureMax temperature minimum temparatureMax temp
maximum temparatureMin temperature maximum temparatureMin temp
sun hoursMonthly sun hours sun hoursSun hours
precipitationMonthly snow/rainfall precipitationSnow/rainfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
10°C 
-2°C 
141 hours 
41 mm 
7 days 
poor 
1°C 
-8°C 
129 hours 
56 mm 
9 days 
poor 
January   >> January
>>  
-1°C 
-11°C 
155 hours 
19 mm 
7 days 
poor 
Climate in Ankeny

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Iowa, in the United States of America.

Is December the best time to visit Iowa?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to Iowa with often poor weather in Des Moines.

Generally speaking, September provides perfect weather in Des Moines. On the other hand, the months of January, February, March, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Iowa. Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.

  • January      
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  • October      
  • November      
  • December      
  • Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America.

    Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.