National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms and Critical Fire Weather Wednesday

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible across portions of the northern High Plains Wednesday afternoon and evening. Severe wind gusts are the primary hazard. Gusty winds and low relative humidity will contribute to critical fire weather conditions across parts of the northern Great Plains and Great Basin Wednesday. Read More >

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Current conditions at

Des Moines International Airport (KDSM)

Lat: 41.53°NLon: 93.65°WElev: 942ft.

Fair

71°F

22°C

Humidity 22%
Wind Speed NW 9 mph
Barometer 29.98 in (1014.6 mb)
Dewpoint 30°F (-1°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 12 May 8:54 pm CDT
Extended Forecast for

Des Moines IA

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

    Low: 54 °F

    Clear

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

    High: 77 °F

    Sunny

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.

    Low: 50 °F

    Clear

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

    High: 79 °F

    Sunny then
    Partly Sunny
    and Breezy

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

    Low: 59 °F

    Chance
    Showers

  • Friday

    Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

    High: 91 °F

    Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

    Low: 60 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Saturday

    Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

    High: 88 °F

    Sunny then
    Slight Chance
    T-storms

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

    Low: 62 °F

    Showers
    Likely

Detailed Forecast

Tonight
Clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 77. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 50. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable.
Thursday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 79. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Saturday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Breezy.
Sunday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday
A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
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Forecast Area
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Des Moines IA
 41.58°N 93.63°W
Last Update:
5:32 pm CDT May 12, 2026
Forecast Valid:
9pm CDT May 12, 2026-6pm CDT May 19, 2026
 
Forecast Discussion
 
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Additional Resources

Radar & Satellite Image

Link to Local Radar Data Link to Satellite Data

Hourly Weather Forecast

National Digital Forecast Database

National Digital Forecast Database Maximum Temperature Forecast

High Temperature

National Digital Forecast Database Weather Element Forecast

Chance of Precipitation