textproduct: Des Moines

KEY MESSAGES

- Mostly sunny today and becoming breezy.

- Warmer and mostly sunny again on Sunday.

- Gradually warming temperatures through next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/

Issued at 213 AM CDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Canadian high pressure is centered over Kansas early this morning with the ridge extending northeast through Iowa. Dry and seasonably cool(can't call it cold) conditions are in place under the high. The 2 am temperatures are in the 30s across much of the state and expect some upper 20s by daybreak over parts of northern and western Iowa. Perhaps most impressive with this high pressure is the extent of freezing temperatures, which extend all the way into the Texas Panhandle. The high pressure system will gradually move east today leading the return flow and warm advection increasing through the day. Dry air will remain over Iowa with dew points generally in the 30s. The dry air is more efficiently heated especially with widespread sunny skies and expected solar insolation. High temperatures should eclipse the NBM highs for today and be closer to the 75th percentile, holding back a bit for some lingering wet ground from the recent rainfall. Breezy south winds will develop by this afternoon with a few gusts over 15 mph possible central Iowa and over 20 mph northwest.

Decoupling will quickly occur near sunset with the wind diminishing to less than 10 mph. Perhaps a few pockets of frost over the southeast where the weaker pressure gradient will reside but overall warmer temperatures and strong enough winds and warmer temperatures will prevent frost conditions. The large area of high pressure will extend from the New England region all the way southwest into Texas. This set up will keep moisture completely shut off from Iowa leading to another mostly sunny day and warmer temperatures while the dry dew points remain. Afternoon wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph are expected along with highs in the 60s.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 239 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

A continued warming trend is expected early next week and beyond. Temperatures return to the 60s to end the weekend and start the new work week and then climb to the 70s by midweek. Outside of some breezy conditions and clouds at times next week as systems beneath the upper ridge near the region, the going forecast remains pleasant and dry. Rain chances then start to return late next week or weekend with details to be refined over the coming days.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1046 PM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the period. Northwest winds will become variable overnight, then from the southwest from 12z and beyond. 20kt gusts possible for northern terminals in the afternoon, and up to 25kts at KMCW.

DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Freeze Warning until 9 AM CDT this morning for IAZ004>007- 015>017-023>028-033>039-044>050-057>062-070>075-081>086- 092>096. Frost Advisory until 9 AM CDT this morning for IAZ097.