Weather on May 1
Des Moines, IA
55 Years of Data
About This Date
May 1st in Des Moines, IA typically brings mild spring weather, with average highs around 66°F and lows near 44°F. Over 56 years of records, the warmest May 1st was in 2007 (76°F average), while the coldest was 1994 (36°F) — a 40°F range across recorded history. Rain or other precipitation has occurred on about 39% of May 1st dates historically, with the wettest May 1st recording 4.22" of rain. Temperatures on this date have remained relatively stable over the past several decades.
Temperatures on this date have remained relatively stable over the past several decades.
Planning for May 1st in Des Moines, IA? Great weather for outdoor activities. Consider bringing rain gear or an umbrella.
| Year | High | Low | Avg | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 58° | 39° | 48° | — | — |
| 2025 | 68° | 50° | 59° | 0.05" | — |
| 2024 | 68° | 51° | 60° | 0.28" | — |
| 2023 | 62° | 41° | 52° | — | — |
| 2022 | 52° | 43° | 47° | — | — |
| 2021 | 87° | 58° | 72° | — | — |
| 2020 | 75° | 44° | 60° | — | — |
| 2019 | 55° | 45° | 50° | 0.08" | — |
| 2018 | 78° | 59° | 69° | 0.15" | — |
| 2017 | 45° | 40° | 42° | 2.34" | — |
| 2016 | 48° | 42° | 45° | 1.4" | — |
| 2015 | 70° | 40° | 55° | — | — |
| 2014 | 41° | 37° | 39° | 1.02" | — |
| 2013 | 83° | 49° | 66° | — | — |
| 2012 | 72° | 47° | 59° | 0.03" | — |
| 2011 | 70° | 40° | 55° | — | — |
| 2010 | 71° | 49° | 60° | 0.36" | — |
| 2009 | 68° | 47° | 57° | — | — |
| 2008 | 70° | 40° | 55° | — | — |
| 2007warmest | 90° | 63° | 76° | — | — |
| 2006 | 56° | 52° | 54° | 2.24" | — |
| 2005 | 55° | 34° | 44° | — | — |
| 2004 | 69° | 42° | 56° | 0.08" | — |
| 2003 | 57° | 48° | 53° | 4.22" | — |
| 2002 | 60° | 44° | 52° | 0.51" | — |
| 2001 | 84° | 54° | 69° | 1.27" | — |
| 2000 | 79° | 53° | 66° | — | — |
| 1999 | 71° | 48° | 60° | — | — |
| 1998 | 61° | 44° | 52° | — | — |
| 1997 | 60° | 32° | 46° | 0.3" | — |
| 1996 | 62° | 36° | 49° | — | — |
| 1995 | 55° | 42° | 49° | — | — |
| 1994coldest | 42° | 31° | 36° | 1.27" | — |
| 1993 | 70° | 46° | 58° | 0.13" | — |
| 1992 | 89° | 51° | 70° | — | — |
| 1991 | 58° | 42° | 50° | — | — |
| 1990 | 60° | 36° | 48° | — | — |
| 1989 | 53° | 40° | 46° | 1.17" | — |
| 1988 | 79° | 44° | 61° | — | — |
| 1987 | 88° | 44° | 66° | — | — |
| 1986 | 62° | 46° | 54° | — | — |
| 1985 | 71° | 62° | 67° | — | — |
| 1984 | 61° | 35° | 48° | — | — |
| 1983 | 62° | 44° | 53° | 1.93" | — |
| 1982 | 71° | 42° | 57° | — | — |
| 1981 | 65° | 42° | 53° | — | — |
| 1980 | 75° | 44° | 60° | — | — |
| 1979 | 69° | 39° | 54° | — | — |
| 1978 | 61° | 36° | 48° | — | — |
| 1977 | 71° | 59° | 65° | — | — |
| 1976 | 68° | 39° | 54° | — | — |
| 1975 | 54° | 36° | 45° | — | — |
| 1974 | 72° | 44° | 58° | — | — |
| 1973 | 59° | 47° | 53° | 0.89" | — |
| 1972 | 65° | 50° | 57° | 0.18" | — |
| 1971 | 65° | 36° | 50° | 0.03" | — |
Des Moines, IA Temperature Range by Month
Average monthly highs and lows. The shaded band shows the typical daily temperature range.
Des Moines, IA Monthly Precipitation
Average rainfall and snowfall per month, in inches.
Des Moines, IA Daily Temperature Calendar
Average daily high temperature for every day of the year. Each cell is the climatological mean for that calendar day across 55 years of NOAA data.
Best Time to Visit Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, IA has no months that meet our "pleasant" threshold — every season has tradeoffs.