Iowa weather in January
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.
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.
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. 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
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Popular destinations in Iowa
What is the weather like in January for the 5 most popular destinations in Iowa?
Average weather in 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.
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Average weather in 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.
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Average weather in 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.
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Average weather in 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.
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Average weather in 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.
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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.
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 climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.