Iowa winters aren't for the faint of heart. Honestly, if you've lived here long enough, you know the drill: one day you’re scraping a thin glaze of ice off your windshield, and the next, you’re wondering if your eyelashes are actually freezing together. Right now, Des Moines is tucked firmly into that late-January groove where the novelty of the first snow has worn off and the reality of a "Cold Weather Advisory" has moved in.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, started with a bit of a bite. We’re looking at a high of about 25°F, but that number is a total lie once you factor in the wind. Northwest winds are kicking up at 9 mph, making it feel more like 13°F. There’s a 35% chance of light snow showers tonight, so if you’re heading out, expect those annoying little flakes that don't quite bury the car but definitely make the 80/35 interchange a mess.
The 10 day weather forecast for des moines iowa: A Real-World Breakdown
Looking ahead, things are getting kinda intense. We aren't just talking "wear a scarf" cold; we’re talking "keep the pets inside and maybe drip the faucets" cold.
Tomorrow, Monday, the 19th, is going to be the real test. While the sun might peek out, the temperature is going to struggle to hit 13°F. The low? A bracing 8°F. But here’s the kicker: the National Weather Service has already flagged a Cold Weather Advisory for central Iowa. We are looking at wind chills that could dip as low as 20 to 25 degrees below zero. That is not a typo. At those temperatures, frostbite can set in on exposed skin in less than 30 minutes.
Tuesday and Wednesday offer a tiny bit of relief, or at least a break from the sub-zero wind chills. Tuesday should hit around 25°F, and Wednesday might actually claw its way up to 31°F. It’ll feel like a tropical vacation compared to Monday. Don’t get too comfortable, though. Late Wednesday brings another chance for light snow—about a 46% probability—which might carry over into Thursday morning.
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By the time we hit the end of the week, the roller coaster drops again. Friday, January 23, starts mostly cloudy with a high of 25°F, but a late-night snow system is moving in. This looks like a more significant event than the flurries we’ve been seeing. We could see several inches of accumulation by Saturday morning. Saturday’s high is only projected to be 3°F. Yes, single digits. The low will plummet to -5°F.
Why the Late January Deep Freeze Is Different
Most people think the worst of winter is December, but climatologists like those at the National Weather Service in Johnston know better. Late January is historically the coldest window for Polk County. Between January 21 and January 25, we hit the statistical "rock bottom" for temperatures.
Basically, the ground has lost all its summer heat, the snowpack is reflecting what little sunlight we get, and the Arctic oscillations are primed to dump cold air straight down the I-35 corridor. It’s a perfect storm of "stay on the couch."
- Sunday (Jan 18): 25°F high, light snow showers, windy.
- Monday (Jan 19): 13°F high, wind chills near -25°F. Dangerous cold.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): 25°F high, mostly sunny, a bit calmer.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): 31°F high, clouds increasing, snow late.
- Thursday (Jan 22): 26°F high, lingering morning snow.
- Friday (Jan 23): 25°F high, heavier snow moving in at night.
- Saturday (Jan 24): 3°F high, -5°F low. Frigid with blowing snow.
- Sunday (Jan 25): 7°F high, 0°F low. Sunny but brutal.
- Monday (Jan 26): 13°F high, 5°F low. Clear skies.
- Tuesday (Jan 27): 16°F high, chance of snow late.
Surviving the "Frigid Zone"
When you see a 10 day weather forecast for des moines iowa that includes negative numbers, you have to change your routine. It’s not just about comfort; it’s about mechanics. Your car battery, for instance, loses about 60% of its strength at 0°F. If your battery is more than three years old, this week is when it’s going to fail you.
Also, let’s talk about the house. With lows hitting -5°F next weekend, those north-facing walls are going to get ice-cold. If you have pipes under a sink against an exterior wall, leave the cabinet doors open. It looks messy, sure, but it’s cheaper than a plumber on a Sunday night.
Travel is going to be the biggest headache. Between the blowing snow today and the potential for a heavier hit next Friday, the visibility is the real danger. The Iowa DOT is usually great about the brine and salt, but at 3°F (Saturday’s high), salt starts to lose its effectiveness. It just doesn't melt the ice the same way.
Actionable Steps for the Next 10 Days
Don't just wait for the frost to bite.
First, check your tire pressure today. Cold air makes the pressure drop, and driving on under-inflated tires on icy Des Moines roads is a recipe for a slide. Second, if you’re commuting Monday morning, give yourself an extra 20 minutes just to let the engine warm up and the windows clear.
Finally, keep an eye on the Friday/Saturday snow system. This looks like the most "plowable" snow of the month. If you’ve been procrastinating on getting more ice melt or checking the snowblower, do it before Wednesday. Once the single digits hit on Saturday, you won't want to be standing in the garage trying to find a spark plug.
Stay warm, Des Moines. We’re almost through the worst of it.