Des Moines in december: average Weather, Temperature and Climate
Weather in Des Moines in december 2026
The weather in Des Moines in december comes from statistical datas on the past years. You can view the weather statistics for all the month, but also by using the tabs for the beginning, the middle and the end of the month.
Average weather throughout december
very bad weather 96.4cm
Weather at 6am
27°F
Clear/Sunny
38% of time
24%
23%
8%
Weather at 12pm
34°F
Clear/Sunny
37% of time
30%
23%
8%
Weather at 6pm
31°F
Clear/Sunny
37% of time
26%
23%
9%
Weather at 3am
29°F
38%
22%
18%
13%
Evolution of daily average temperature and precipitation in Des Moines in december
These charts show the evolution of average minimum/maximum temperatures as well as average daily precipitation volume in Des Moines in december.
The climate of Des Moines in december is very bad
In december in Des Moines, the climate is relatively dry (with 1.4in of rainfall over 2 days). This is better than the previous month since in november it receives an average of 1.6in of rainfall over 3 days.
The climate is quite cold there the month of december. Do not forget to take with you warm clothes! Temperatures are up to 36°F. In the morning the temperature drops to 27°F. Thus, the mean temperature average on this month of december in Des Moines is 32°F. Note that these seasonal averages are in contrast with those observed in Des Moines in december with a maximum record of 70°F in 2021 and a minimum record of -11°F in 2017. You can expect to have about 23 days with temperatures below 32°F, or 74% of time.
On this month of december, day length in Des Moines is generally 09:10. Sunrise is at 07:35 and sets at 16:45.
December: another location in the United States (USA)?
If you want to go to the United States (USA) in december, there are destinations with better weather than Des Moines:
In december, Miami (Florida) has perfect weather.
Furthermore, Hawaii (Honolulu), Houston, Myrtle Beach, Phoenix (Arizona), Carolina Beach and Dauphin Island (Alabama) have good weather.
Finally, California, Louisiana, Atlanta, Dallas, Austin and Big Bend National Park (Texas) have a tolerable climate, but better than Des Moines.
Seasonal average climate and temperature of Des Moines in december
Check below seasonal norms These datas are generated from the weather statements earlier years of the month of december.
| December | |||||
| Outside temperature | |||||
| Average temperature | 32°F | ||||
| Highest temperature | 36°F | ||||
| Lowest temperature | 27°F | ||||
| Highest record temperature | 70°F (2021) | ||||
| Lowest record temperature | -11°F (2017) | ||||
| Number of days at +65°F | 0 day(s) (0%) | ||||
| Number of days at -32°F | 23 day(s) (74%) | ||||
| Wind | |||||
| Wind speed | 21km/h | ||||
| Wind temperature | 18°F | ||||
| Precipitation (rainfall) | |||||
| Rainfall | 1.4in | ||||
| Number of days with rainfall | 2 day(s) (6%) | ||||
| Record daily rainfall | 1.2in (2018) | ||||
| Snowfall | 96.4cm | ||||
| Other climate data | |||||
| Humidity | 83% | ||||
| Visibility | 8.94km | ||||
| Cloud cover | 47% | ||||
| UV index | 2 | ||||
| Daily sunshine hours | 7 | ||||
| Sunrise and sunset | |||||
| Time of sunrise | 07:35 | ||||
| Time of sunset | 16:45 | ||||
| Length of day | 09:10 | ||||
| Our opinion about the weather in december | |||||
| Our opinion at whereandwhen.net | very bad | ||||
How was the weather last december?
Here is the day by day recorded weather in Des Moines in december 2025:
20°F to 25°F
14°F to 29°F
27°F to 32°F
0°F to 22°F
20°F to 34°F
29°F to 34°F
20°F to 32°F
18°F to 31°F
31°F to 38°F
25°F to 38°F
22°F to 31°F
27°F to 31°F
13°F to 20°F
2°F to 16°F
16°F to 36°F
22°F to 38°F
29°F to 32°F
36°F to 40°F
18°F to 32°F
29°F to 34°F
23°F to 34°F
29°F to 36°F
31°F to 36°F
29°F to 34°F
34°F to 36°F
36°F to 38°F
36°F to 45°F
36°F to 45°F
13°F to 25°F
16°F to 36°F
32°F to 38°F
Map: other cities in the United States (USA) in december
Cities near Des Moines:
| Kansas City in december | very bad weather |
| Sioux Falls in december | very bad weather |
| Illinois in december | very bad weather |
| Minneapolis (Minnesota) in december | very bad weather |
| Missouri in december | very bad weather |
| St. Louis (Missouri) in december | very bad weather |
| Wisconsin in december | very bad weather |
| Chicago in december | very bad weather |
| Kansas in december | very bad weather |
| Indianapolis in december | very bad weather |
| Arkansas in december | very bad weather |
| Oklahoma in december | very bad weather |
Click over cities on the map for information about the weather in december.
Des Moines
perfect weather
good
tolerable
bad
very bad
Weather data for Des Moines in december:
Weather data for Des Moines for december are derived from an average of the weather forecast since 2009 in Des Moines. There is a margin of error and these forecasts are to be considered as general information only. The weather in Des Moines can vary slightly from year to year, but this data should limit surprises. So you can pack your bags or check for the best time in year to go to Des Moines.