textproduct: Des Moines

KEY MESSAGES

- Sunny and dry Thursday afternoon with rain and a few thunderstorms returning tonight.

- Rain will remain in the forecast for much of Friday and the daytime Saturday.

- After a break Sunday, rain and storms will return Sunday night and last through at least midweek.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 115 PM CDT Thu Oct 29 2026

The remaining stratus and fog burned off in the late morning, so most of Iowa will be clear this afternoon. Some easterly flow will come off high pressure over the Great Lakes region and into Wisconsin, which opens up the chance for radiational cooling in northeast Iowa. Lows have been adjusted with some mid 30 possible in northeast Iowa. Southerly flow will reestablish itself overnight in the south. This is in response to a shortwave ejecting into the region, which will also usher in our next chance of rain for much of Friday. Early on in the event (mainly around sunrise Friday) some scattered nonsevere thunderstorms will be possible in the southern half of Iowa. Rain will persist through the day and another round of storms are possible with the return of the LLJ. While most all the state will see rain, highest amounts will be in the southern half with totals over half an inch. Thunderstorms will push amounts close to an inch in localized areas.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1238 PM CDT Thu Oct 29 2026

VFR conditions and mostly clear skies over the next 6 to 12 hours. Rain and some early thunderstorms will migrate north, affecting KDSM and KOTM first. Have added a Prob30 group to reflect when thunderstorms are most likely which will also pose the risk of at least MVFR cigs and vsbys. Rain will overspread to all terminals by the end of the TAF period and widespread IFR cigs won't be far behind near 18z.

DMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.