textproduct: Des Moines

KEY MESSAGES

- Local river valley fog tonight.

- Breezy to gusty winds on Tuesday.

- Scattered showers and thunderstorms possible Thursday night

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 234 PM CDT Mon Oct 5 2026

Widespread mostly sunny skies were across Iowa gain this afternoon. High pressure was beginning to move to the east today as while low pressure was entering the Lee side of the Rockies to the west. The trough will continue to move east tonight with strong theta-e advection developing across Iowa later tonight into Tuesday morning. Despite the theta-e advection, no saturation is anticipated as the air mass over the state is very dry, therefore, no precipitation is expected. A few areas with river valley fog is possible again tonight but the over all coverage should be less than this morning with a more sustained wind expected. The increased pressure gradient and diurnal mixing will lead to gusty southwest winds. High temperatures will be in the 70s to near 80 in a few locations. Side note for today.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/

Issued at 234 PM CDT Mon Oct 5 2026

Little change in the overall pattern through Friday as the upper level flow remains a modified westerlies leading to mild and mostly dry conditions. The caveat being Thursday night and Friday morning as a few showers and storms could develop by another round of moisture return with surface low pressure moving to the east and return flow commences. Upper low pressure will descend into the Pacific Northwest this weekend leading to a gradual amplification of southwest flow into Iowa. This will lead to warmer temperatures this weekend, with more widespread 80s possible. A bit beyond the 7 day forecast and perhaps the next widespread weather potential for Iowa arrives mid next week as the upper low shifts east into the Plains and may bring thunderstorms back to Iowa.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 1240 PM CDT Mon Oct 5 2026

VFR conditions are expected to last through much of the period. Southerly winds will remain mostly below 12 kts today. There is potential for river valley fog again overnight and low probabilities extend to KFOD/KALO. Low level wind shear is possible late tonight and into early Tuesday. Gusty winds are expected by late Tuesday morning.

DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.