Weather on May 18
Des Moines, IA
55 Years of Data
About This Date
May 18th in Des Moines, IA typically brings pleasant spring weather, with average highs around 75°F and lows near 52°F. Over 56 years of records, the warmest May 18th was in 2024 (77°F average), while the coldest was 2002 (47°F) — a 30°F range across recorded history. Rain or other precipitation has occurred on about 38% of May 18th dates historically, with the wettest May 18th recording 5.16" 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 18th in Des Moines, IA? Great weather for outdoor activities. Consider bringing rain gear or an umbrella.
| Year | High | Low | Avg | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 79° | 62° | 70° | 3.51" | — |
| 2025 | 75° | 41° | 58° | — | — |
| 2024warmest | 89° | 65° | 77° | — | — |
| 2023 | 82° | 57° | 70° | — | — |
| 2022 | 81° | 59° | 70° | 0.61" | — |
| 2021 | 68° | 60° | 64° | 0.18" | — |
| 2020 | 59° | 50° | 55° | 0.3" | — |
| 2019 | 75° | 60° | 68° | 0.76" | — |
| 2018 | 84° | 61° | 72° | — | — |
| 2017 | 80° | 57° | 69° | 0.53" | — |
| 2016 | 65° | 41° | 53° | 1.24" | — |
| 2015 | 76° | 44° | 60° | — | — |
| 2014 | 71° | 46° | 59° | — | — |
| 2013 | 80° | 56° | 68° | — | — |
| 2012 | 85° | 55° | 70° | — | — |
| 2011 | 73° | 38° | 55° | — | — |
| 2010 | 74° | 44° | 59° | — | — |
| 2009 | 53° | 41° | 47° | 0.28" | — |
| 2008 | 83° | 48° | 65° | — | — |
| 2007 | 71° | 43° | 57° | — | — |
| 2006 | 80° | 50° | 65° | — | — |
| 2005 | 79° | 55° | 67° | — | — |
| 2004 | 81° | 56° | 68° | 5.16" | — |
| 2003 | 76° | 55° | 65° | — | — |
| 2002coldest | 61° | 34° | 47° | — | — |
| 2001 | 83° | 54° | 68° | — | — |
| 2000 | 81° | 59° | 70° | — | — |
| 1999 | 71° | 50° | 61° | 0.36" | — |
| 1998 | 85° | 62° | 73° | — | — |
| 1997 | 84° | 56° | 70° | — | — |
| 1996 | 89° | 61° | 75° | — | — |
| 1995 | 66° | 46° | 56° | 0.64" | — |
| 1994 | 79° | 44° | 61° | — | — |
| 1993 | 73° | 47° | 60° | — | — |
| 1992 | 64° | 48° | 56° | — | — |
| 1991 | 78° | 51° | 65° | 0.18" | — |
| 1990 | 68° | 41° | 55° | — | — |
| 1989 | 78° | 58° | 68° | 2.62" | — |
| 1988 | 79° | 52° | 65° | — | — |
| 1987 | 86° | 65° | 75° | 0.18" | — |
| 1986 | 64° | 46° | 55° | — | — |
| 1985 | 84° | 46° | 65° | — | — |
| 1984 | 84° | 65° | 74° | 0.84" | — |
| 1983 | 58° | 49° | 53° | 1.6" | — |
| 1982 | 78° | 55° | 67° | — | — |
| 1981 | 58° | 45° | 51° | 0.38" | — |
| 1980 | 58° | 50° | 54° | 0.41" | — |
| 1979 | 74° | 56° | 65° | 0.66" | — |
| 1978 | 78° | 50° | 64° | — | — |
| 1977 | 84° | 62° | 73° | — | — |
| 1976 | 66° | 41° | 54° | — | — |
| 1975 | 80° | 59° | 70° | — | — |
| 1974 | 65° | 56° | 60° | 3.53" | — |
| 1973 | 85° | 54° | 69° | — | — |
| 1972 | 83° | 57° | 70° | — | — |
| 1971 | 84° | 59° | 72° | 1.14" | — |
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.