Des Moines Future Trends
Iowa · US States · Trend-based projections to 2050
This page uses Des Moines's own 50 year weather record to project one trend line forward to 2030, 2040 and 2050, with a Best and Worst scenario range built from the trend's own statistical uncertainty. For where that trend has already gone, see the Climate Capitals Trends, or for current and historical day-to-day weather, see Meteo Capital Cities. See how this trend ranks against every other world capital on the Climate Shift Index.Compare its projection against all 195 world capitals on the full interactive map.
Data through August 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about Des Moines's projected trends
How warm will Des Moines be in 2050?
Extrapolated from Des Moines's own record since 1976, the average daytime high in 2050 works out at roughly 16.7°C, up 0.4°C from 2025. This is a straight-line projection of measured weather data, not a climate model or a scenario-based forecast.
How certain is the temperature projection for Des Moines?
The 2050 range runs from 15.7°C to 17.7°C. That spread comes from the 95% confidence interval on the trend line's own slope, so the noisier Des Moines's record, the wider the band. The trend accounts for 16% of the variation between years; the rest is ordinary year-to-year swing.
How many days above 30°C will Des Moines get in 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 43 days above 30°C a year in 2050, against 43 in 2025. So no increase here, which means the warming in this city sits in the milder months rather than the summer peaks.
Will Des Moines still get frost in 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 111 frost days a year in 2050, against 101 in 2025. Fewer frost days sounds pleasant, but it also shortens the natural cold period plants and pest control rely on.
Is Des Moines getting wetter or drier by 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 918mm of precipitation a year in 2050, against 911mm in 2025, so wetter. An annual total says little about distribution though: the same rainfall can arrive in shorter, harder bursts, and that is what loads drains and water storage.
Will Des Moines get more sunshine by 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 3311 sunshine hours a year in 2050, against 3231 in 2025, so more sun. Sunshine hours bear directly on rooftop solar yield, though heat works against it at the same time: a panel loses efficiency at high temperatures.
