ClimateForecastJanuaryFebruary >>

Weather in January in Iowa

Thinking about venturing to Iowa this January and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What is the weather like in Iowa in January?

Iowa is a region in the United States of America. January in Iowa generally has very cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate. January is a winter month.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are very cold and range from -5°C in Mason City to 1°C in Keokuk. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -8°C in Keokuk and -14°C in Mason City. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Sioux City with an average of 13 mm to moderate snowfall in Burlington with 34 mm. In Des Moines, this particular month consistently records the lowest levels of rainfall, making it the driest period throughout the entire year.

Average sunshine

Most areas experience a moderate amount of sunshine, with approximately 155 hours of sunlight expected in Des Moines. This makes it neither too gloomy nor overly bright.

For a closer look at January's conditions in Iowa, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Iowa's yearly weather, check out our Iowa climate page.

Where to go in Iowa in January

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

Map not visible? Whoops sorry! Please refresh the page.
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 January for the 5 most popular destinations in Iowa?

Des Moines

In January Des Moines generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C and low monthly snowfall. 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 snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
2°C 
-7°C 
129 hours 
58 mm 
9 days 
poor 
-1°C 
-10°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
7 days 
poor 
0°C 
-10°C 
165 hours 
35 mm 
8 days 
poor 
Climate in Des Moines

West Des Moines

In January West Des Moines generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -11°C and low monthly snowfall. 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 snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
2°C 
-8°C 
129 hours 
57 mm 
9 days 
poor 
-1°C 
-11°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
7 days 
poor 
0°C 
-10°C 
165 hours 
36 mm 
8 days 
poor 
Climate in West Des Moines

Ames

In January Ames generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C and low monthly snowfall. 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 snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
1°C 
-9°C 
129 hours 
56 mm 
9 days 
poor 
-2°C 
-12°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
6 days 
poor 
-1°C 
-11°C 
165 hours 
31 mm 
8 days 
poor 
Climate in Ames

Urbandale

In January Urbandale generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -11°C and low monthly snowfall. 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 snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
2°C 
-8°C 
129 hours 
58 mm 
9 days 
poor 
-1°C 
-11°C 
155 hours 
21 mm 
6 days 
poor 
0°C 
-10°C 
165 hours 
36 mm 
8 days 
poor 
Climate in Urbandale

Ankeny

In January Ankeny generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -11°C and low monthly snowfall. 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 snowfall precipitationSnowfall
rain daysMonthly rainy days rain daysRainy days
conditionsWeather conditions conditionsWeather
1°C 
-8°C 
129 hours 
56 mm 
9 days 
poor 
-1°C 
-11°C 
155 hours 
19 mm 
7 days 
poor 
-0°C 
-11°C 
165 hours 
30 mm 
8 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 January the best time to visit Iowa?

In our view, January 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. In contrast, 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      
  • February      
  • March      
  • April      
  • May      
  • June      
  • July      
  • August      
  • September      
  • 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.