Honestly, if you’ve lived in Central Iowa for more than a week, you know the drill. You check the app, see a "35% chance of snow," and think, maybe I’ll skip the car wash. Fast forward two hours, and you're staring at a literal whiteout on I-235.
That’s Des Moines in January. It’s a mix of "wait, why is it 50 degrees?" followed by "oh, that's why—it's now 7 degrees and my eyelashes are freezing together." Getting a handle on the 14 day weather forecast des moines iowa isn't just about picking an outfit; it’s about survival, or at least avoiding a very expensive sliding-into-a-ditch situation.
Right now, as of January 17, 2026, we are staring down the barrel of a classic Iowa cold snap. If you were enjoying that weirdly mild start to the month—we actually hit a record 60°F on January 7—I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The honeymoon is over.
The Immediate Outlook: Snow, Wind, and the "Flash Freeze"
Today, Saturday, January 17, is setting the tone. We’ve got light snow showers moving through with a high of only 12°F. But here’s the kicker: the wind. It’s coming from the northwest at 16 mph, which is basically a polite way of saying the wind chill is hovering around -6°F.
Meteorologists like Rod Donavon from the National Weather Service have been sounding the alarm about "snow squalls." These aren't your typical long-duration storms. They’re narrow, intense bands of snow that can drop visibility to near zero in seconds. If you're driving near Jordan Creek or heading up toward Ankeny, don't be surprised if the sky just... disappears for twenty minutes.
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, gives us a brief "warm-up" to 26°F before the floor falls out again. We’re looking at a low of 4°F Sunday night. Basically, the next 48 hours are a cycle of light snow and biting winds.
Des Moines Forecast: The 14-Day Breakdown
Looking at the 14 day weather forecast des moines iowa, the pattern is pretty clear: it's a battle between Canadian air and the occasional sunny break.
- The Deep Freeze (Days 1-3): Monday stays brutal with a high of 13°F and a low of 3°F. It’ll be mostly sunny, which is Iowa’s way of tricking you into thinking it’s a nice day until you actually open your front door.
- The "Balmy" Mid-Week (Days 4-6): We see a slight reprieve. Tuesday through Thursday (Jan 20-22) will see highs hovering around 29°F to 30°F. Honestly, after 12 degrees, 30 feels like t-shirt weather. It'll stay mostly cloudy, which actually helps trap what little heat we have.
- The Second Wave (Days 7-10): By next Friday, January 23, the snow returns. We’re looking at light snow and snow showers through the weekend (Jan 24-25). Highs will dip back down to 11°F and 12°F.
- The Long Tail (Days 11-14): As we head toward the end of January, the Farmers' Almanac and local models suggest we’ll stay in this "chill, snow, repeat" cycle. Expect highs to struggle to break 20°F with consistent northwest winds.
Why the Des Moines Forecast is So Unpredictable
You might wonder why it's so hard to get a straight answer for next Tuesday. Jim Lee, a meteorologist at the NWS in Des Moines, recently pointed out that these snow squalls are incredibly hard to pin down. Science can tell us the conditions are right for them, but telling you exactly which mile marker on I-80 will get hit? That's still a bit of a guessing game.
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We’re also in a transitional year. La Niña is fading, which usually means the jet stream is jumping around like a caffeinated squirrel. This is why we saw record-breaking warmth last week and are now dreading -25°F wind chills this weekend.
What You Actually Need to Wear
Forget looking cute. Seriously. If you’re heading out to Court Avenue or just commuting to the office, layering is the only way to win.
- The Base Layer: Get some merino wool or thermal long johns. Avoid cotton; once it gets damp from a little sweat or melted snow, it stays cold.
- The "Toasty" Layer: A thick wool sweater or a heavy fleece.
- The Shell: You need something windproof. A 16 mph wind at 10°F will cut through a pea coat like it’s made of tissue paper.
- The Extremities: Most people forget their ears. A "stocking cap" (or beanie, depending on how old you are) is mandatory. And mittens? They’re better than gloves. Your fingers share heat when they're together.
Survival Tips for the Next Two Weeks
If you’re staying in the metro, keep a "winter kit" in your car. It sounds paranoid until you’re stuck behind a jackknifed semi on I-35. Throw a blanket, a small shovel, and some extra gloves in the trunk.
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Also, watch out for the "flash freeze." When the temperature drops rapidly after a light snow or rain—like it will tonight—roads that look just "wet" are actually skating rinks.
Stay updated on the 14 day weather forecast des moines iowa by checking the NWS "CLI" plots if you’re a data nerd. They show the observed highs vs. the normals, and it’s a great way to see just how weird this winter is compared to the historical average (which usually sees highs of 30°F and lows of 14°F for January).
Keep an eye on the wind chill values particularly for Monday morning. We’re talking -10°F to -25°F territory. That’s frostbite-in-30-minutes weather. If you have pets, bring them in. If you have outdoor pipes, maybe let the faucet drip. Just the standard Iowa winter routine.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your car's tire pressure; cold air makes it drop significantly.
- Restock your salt or sand for the driveway before the next round of snow showers on Friday.
- Download the local weather app for "Snow Squall Warnings"—these are newer alerts that are literally life-savers for commuters.