Weather on October 21
Des Moines, IA
55 Years of Data
Avg High
62°F
Avg Low
39°F
Warmest
2003
69°F avg
Coldest
2020
36°F avg
About This Date
October 21st in Des Moines, IA typically brings mild fall weather, with average highs around 62°F and lows near 39°F. Over 55 years of records, the warmest October 21st was in 2003 (69°F average), while the coldest was 2020 (36°F) — a 33°F range across recorded history. Rain or other precipitation has occurred on about 27% of October 21st dates historically, with the wettest October 21st recording 3.15" of rain. The last decade has been 1.9°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
The last decade has been 1.9°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
Planning for October 21st in Des Moines, IA? Great weather for outdoor activities.
Warming Trend
0.8°F per decade on this date
| Year | High | Low | Avg | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 54° | 42° | 48° | — | — |
| 2024 | 81° | 52° | 66° | — | — |
| 2023 | 70° | 45° | 57° | — | — |
| 2022 | 79° | 46° | 62° | — | — |
| 2021 | 48° | 37° | 43° | 0.03" | — |
| 2020coldest | 42° | 31° | 36° | 0.08" | — |
| 2019 | 64° | 39° | 52° | 3.15" | — |
| 2018 | 60° | 27° | 44° | — | — |
| 2017 | 75° | 56° | 65° | — | — |
| 2016 | 54° | 30° | 42° | — | — |
| 2015 | 69° | 51° | 60° | 0.13" | — |
| 2014 | 70° | 35° | 52° | — | — |
| 2013 | 60° | 33° | 47° | — | — |
| 2012 | 58° | 41° | 49° | — | — |
| 2011 | 55° | 27° | 41° | — | — |
| 2010 | 73° | 41° | 57° | — | — |
| 2009 | 64° | 56° | 60° | 0.05" | — |
| 2008 | 72° | 33° | 52° | — | — |
| 2007 | 80° | 40° | 60° | — | — |
| 2006 | 54° | 36° | 45° | 0.74" | — |
| 2005 | 50° | 36° | 43° | 0.64" | — |
| 2004 | 51° | 48° | 50° | — | — |
| 2003warmest | 87° | 52° | 69° | — | — |
| 2002 | 57° | 24° | 41° | — | — |
| 2001 | 73° | 33° | 53° | — | — |
| 2000 | 77° | 47° | 62° | — | — |
| 1999 | 61° | 13° | 37° | — | — |
| 1998 | 49° | 36° | 42° | 0.43" | — |
| 1997 | 52° | 30° | 41° | — | — |
| 1996 | 72° | 44° | 58° | — | — |
| 1995 | 44° | 35° | 40° | — | — |
| 1994 | 71° | 39° | 55° | — | — |
| 1993 | 57° | 36° | 46° | 0.13" | — |
| 1992 | 67° | 31° | 49° | — | — |
| 1991 | 62° | 33° | 48° | — | — |
| 1990 | 51° | 37° | 44° | 0.97" | — |
| 1989 | 57° | 26° | 42° | — | — |
| 1988 | 56° | 43° | 49° | 0.03" | — |
| 1987 | 46° | 28° | 37° | — | — |
| 1986 | 74° | 50° | 62° | — | — |
| 1985 | 59° | 50° | 55° | — | — |
| 1984 | 53° | 40° | 46° | — | — |
| 1983 | 49° | 41° | 45° | 2.92" | — |
| 1982 | 49° | 28° | 38° | — | — |
| 1981 | 52° | 39° | 45° | — | — |
| 1980 | 59° | 41° | 50° | — | — |
| 1979 | 79° | 48° | 63° | 0.56" | — |
| 1978 | 83° | — | — | — | — |
| 1977 | 70° | 42° | 56° | — | — |
| 1976 | 51° | 28° | 40° | — | — |
| 1975 | 78° | 43° | 60° | — | — |
| 1974 | 53° | 35° | 44° | — | — |
| 1973 | 65° | 43° | 54° | — | — |
| 1972 | 44° | 35° | 40° | 1.78" | — |
| 1971 | 61° | 52° | 56° | 1.7" | — |
55 years of data from ANKENY