textproduct: Des Moines

KEY MESSAGES

- Much cooler Tuesday through the end of the week with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.

- Upper level smoke filters back into the area this morning behind the cold front and may result in hazy skies.

- Precipitation chances return late this week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 317 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The cold front that brought thunderstorms to the state Monday afternoon and evening has pushed south of the state overnight. While a few scattered post-frontal showers linger in southern Iowa early this morning, the more robust convection has pushed into Missouri. Behind the front cooler air is filtering south into the area. A few areas of patchy fog are possible into the morning, but breezy conditions will likely inhibit more widespread fog development this morning. With strong cold air advection into the area temperatures today will be in the upper 70s to low 80s, some 15+ degrees cooler than yesterday and welcome relief from the recent heat. The pressure gradient remains tight behind the departing trough and the cold air advection and subsidence will come together for breezy north winds today with gusts of 20-25+ mph expected. The north winds will also bring another plume of smoke back across the area with hazy skies anticipated through the day today.

LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

Issued at 226 PM CDT Mon Jul 20 2026

More mild conditions are expected through the end of the work week with highs in the upper 70s and 80s across the state. Continued ridging out to our south and west will continue, but there is decent signal for more shortwaves Wednesday into Thursday that could bring in additional chances for showers and storms. Severe weather is less likely with these storm chances, as moisture will be limited, but more details will be sorted out in the coming days. The ridge is again expected to intensify over the central plains during the weekend and heat will likely return by Saturday and Sunday. Continued NW flow could bring in a marginal chances for smoke haze since wildfires are still ongoing in Canada.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 623 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period. Northwest winds will gust 20-25 kts through today, tapering off after 00z. Wildfire smoke is expected to move across the area, but should remain aloft and visibility reductions are not anticipated.

DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.