Weather on May 16
Des Moines, IA
55 Years of Data
Avg High
73°F
Avg Low
50°F
Warmest
2017
80°F avg
Coldest
2014
41°F avg
About This Date
May 16th in Des Moines, IA typically brings pleasant spring weather, with average highs around 73°F and lows near 50°F. Over 55 years of records, the warmest May 16th was in 2017 (80°F average), while the coldest was 2014 (41°F) — a 39°F range across recorded history. Rain or other precipitation has occurred on about 35% of May 16th dates historically, with the wettest May 16th recording 2.41" of rain. The last decade has been 7.2°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
The last decade has been 7.2°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
Planning for May 16th in Des Moines, IA? Great weather for outdoor activities. Consider bringing rain gear or an umbrella.
Warming Trend
0.6°F per decade on this date
| Year | High | Low | Avg | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 76° | 51° | 63° | — | — |
| 2024 | 78° | 61° | 69° | — | — |
| 2023 | 80° | 56° | 68° | — | — |
| 2022 | 81° | 52° | 66° | — | — |
| 2021 | 62° | 51° | 57° | 0.69" | — |
| 2020 | 76° | 49° | 62° | — | — |
| 2019 | 91° | 62° | 77° | 1.3" | — |
| 2018 | 83° | 59° | 71° | — | — |
| 2017warmest | 90° | 71° | 80° | — | — |
| 2016 | 66° | 49° | 57° | — | — |
| 2015 | 74° | 57° | 65° | — | — |
| 2014coldest | 48° | 34° | 41° | 0.23" | — |
| 2013 | 82° | 54° | 68° | — | — |
| 2012 | 91° | 49° | 70° | — | — |
| 2011 | 62° | 39° | 51° | 0.18" | — |
| 2010 | 75° | 43° | 59° | — | — |
| 2009 | 62° | 42° | 52° | 0.66" | — |
| 2008 | 74° | 41° | 57° | — | — |
| 2007 | 64° | 45° | 54° | 0.38" | — |
| 2006 | 67° | 50° | 58° | 0.36" | — |
| 2005 | 61° | 41° | 51° | — | — |
| 2004 | 65° | 43° | 54° | — | — |
| 2003 | 66° | 45° | 55° | — | — |
| 2002 | 73° | 57° | 65° | 0.25" | — |
| 2001 | 88° | 60° | 74° | — | — |
| 2000 | 72° | 50° | 61° | — | — |
| 1999 | 71° | 51° | 61° | 1.14" | — |
| 1998 | 82° | 57° | 70° | — | — |
| 1997 | 59° | 31° | 45° | — | — |
| 1996 | 73° | 52° | 62° | 0.69" | — |
| 1995 | 74° | 44° | 59° | — | — |
| 1994 | 77° | 47° | 62° | — | — |
| 1993 | 71° | 42° | 57° | 0.28" | — |
| 1992 | 75° | 55° | 65° | — | — |
| 1991 | 79° | 64° | 71° | 1.07" | — |
| 1990 | 71° | 54° | 62° | 1.65" | — |
| 1989 | 83° | 61° | 72° | — | — |
| 1988 | 74° | 51° | 62° | — | — |
| 1987 | 83° | 53° | 68° | — | — |
| 1986 | 66° | 51° | 59° | 2.41" | — |
| 1985 | 60° | 49° | 54° | 0.05" | — |
| 1984 | 72° | 48° | 60° | — | — |
| 1983 | 69° | 44° | 57° | — | — |
| 1982 | 76° | 56° | 66° | 0.18" | — |
| 1981 | 75° | 48° | 62° | — | — |
| 1980 | 64° | 50° | 57° | 0.58" | — |
| 1979 | 72° | 53° | 62° | — | — |
| 1978 | 67° | 50° | 58° | — | — |
| 1977 | 83° | 64° | 73° | 0.53" | — |
| 1976 | 64° | 50° | 57° | — | — |
| 1975 | 70° | 43° | 56° | — | — |
| 1974 | 63° | 45° | 54° | 1.52" | — |
| 1973 | 63° | 51° | 57° | — | — |
| 1972 | 75° | 49° | 62° | — | — |
| 1971 | 85° | 49° | 67° | — | — |
55 years of data from ANKENY