textproduct: Des Moines

KEY MESSAGES

- Gradual warming trend continues today through the first half of the week.

- Breezy, southerly winds starting Monday through Wednesday, with the breeziest conditions expected on Wednesday. - Rain chances mid-week are trending downward, but remain around 10 to 15% early Thursday morning. Better chances (50 to 80%+) develop Friday night into Saturday.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 202 AM CST Sun Nov 15 2026

High pressure continues to drive the weather pattern over Iowa today, resulting in cold temperatures and calm winds early this morning. Efficient radiational cooling is ongoing with mostly clear skies, although thin cirrus clouds have drifted through northern and western Iowa at times. Since this time last night, the surface high has shifted slightly eastward and put central Iowa more in a southerly flow regime. While the inversion and weak pressure gradient are keeping things calm this evening, expect light southerly winds to develop through the day today. This southerly flow regime is present throughout the low levels, becoming more southwesterly at 850 mb and allowing for weak warm air advection. Highs will therefore be a couple degrees warmer in the upper 40s to low 50s today but the status quo of mostly clear skies, light winds, and dry conditions continues.

The surface high begins to slide south and east today and tonight, bringing some tighter pressure gradients into Iowa on Monday. As a result, breezier conditions will begin to move into the area, most noticeable over northwest Iowa where gusts around 25 mph are possible. In addition to the slight increase in winds on Monday, the gradual warming trend also continues as highs climb into the mid 50s. Breezy conditions and steady warming persists through the middle of the week.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 126 PM CST Sat Nov 14 2026

Upper level ridging will arrive over Iowa on Tuesday as a large trough develops over the Western CONUS. The ridge will transition to southwest flow Tuesday night into Wednesday. A short wave will lift through the southwest flow and will bring low precipitation chances to the state. Precipitation chances will hinge on return moisture and the potential for any saturation given the antecedent very dry mass. The surface high will have moved east enough for a Gulf moisture link to occur but this moisture may not be enough for widespread precipitation. A more significant upper low will enter the southwest CONUS late in the week and will begin to translate eastward towards next weekend. That system appears to present a greater chance for more widespread precipitation. Temperatures will warm from the 50s to the 50s and 60s by Wednesday through Friday. The wind will be breezy to gusty at times at times. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph look possible Wednesday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1116 AM CST Sun Nov 15 2026

VFR conditions will persist through the TAF period. South wind of 5 to 9 kts through tonight. The wind will increase Monday morning and may be above 12kts prior to 18z at KFOD/KMCW. A few passing cirrus situated AOA 20kft are expected. River valley fog is again possible late tonight but this is not expected to impact any sites.

DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.