Weather on May 21
Des Moines, IA
55 Years of Data
Avg High
74°F
Avg Low
52°F
Warmest
1974
75°F avg
Coldest
2015
44°F avg
About This Date
May 21st in Des Moines, IA typically brings pleasant spring weather, with average highs around 74°F and lows near 52°F. Over 55 years of records, the warmest May 21st was in 1974 (75°F average), while the coldest was 2015 (44°F) — a 31°F range across recorded history. Rain or other precipitation has occurred on about 36% of May 21st dates historically, with the wettest May 21st recording 4.01" of rain. The last decade has been 1.8°F cooler on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
The last decade has been 1.8°F cooler on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
Planning for May 21st in Des Moines, IA? Great weather for outdoor activities. Consider bringing rain gear or an umbrella.
Cooling Trend
1.1°F per decade on this date
| Year | High | Low | Avg | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 60° | 45° | 52° | — | — |
| 2024 | 83° | 57° | 70° | 4.01" | — |
| 2023 | 77° | 51° | 64° | — | — |
| 2022 | 59° | 47° | 53° | — | — |
| 2021 | 80° | 67° | 73° | 0.1" | — |
| 2020 | 62° | 56° | 59° | — | — |
| 2019 | 56° | 42° | 49° | 0.18" | — |
| 2018 | 74° | 58° | 66° | 0.25" | — |
| 2017 | 67° | 44° | 55° | 0.05" | — |
| 2016 | 71° | 43° | 57° | — | — |
| 2015coldest | 49° | 39° | 44° | 0.05" | — |
| 2014 | 85° | 56° | 70° | 1.55" | — |
| 2013 | 78° | 58° | 68° | 1.14" | — |
| 2012 | 72° | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | 69° | 58° | 63° | 1.68" | — |
| 2010 | 66° | 56° | 61° | 0.43" | — |
| 2009 | 86° | 63° | 74° | — | — |
| 2008 | 69° | 39° | 54° | — | — |
| 2007 | 83° | 60° | 71° | — | — |
| 2006 | 77° | 52° | 64° | — | — |
| 2005 | 67° | 50° | 58° | — | — |
| 2004 | 85° | 65° | 75° | — | — |
| 2003 | 63° | 38° | 50° | — | — |
| 2002 | 64° | 39° | 52° | — | — |
| 2001 | 74° | 50° | 62° | 0.48" | — |
| 2000 | 74° | 55° | 64° | — | — |
| 1999 | 77° | 52° | 64° | 0.76" | — |
| 1998 | 93° | 56° | 74° | — | — |
| 1997 | 66° | 38° | 52° | — | — |
| 1996 | 78° | 51° | 65° | — | — |
| 1995 | 70° | 40° | 55° | — | — |
| 1994 | 81° | 47° | 64° | — | — |
| 1993 | 61° | 40° | 50° | — | — |
| 1992 | 85° | 61° | 73° | — | — |
| 1991 | 72° | 56° | 64° | 0.58" | — |
| 1990 | 53° | 45° | 49° | — | — |
| 1989 | 74° | 53° | 63° | — | — |
| 1988 | 83° | 56° | 69° | 0.3" | — |
| 1987 | 79° | 57° | 68° | 0.41" | — |
| 1986 | 71° | 45° | 58° | — | — |
| 1985 | 74° | 45° | 59° | — | — |
| 1984 | 80° | 54° | 67° | — | — |
| 1983 | 63° | 50° | 56° | 0.71" | — |
| 1982 | 67° | 44° | 55° | 1.37" | — |
| 1981 | 79° | 49° | 64° | — | — |
| 1980 | 80° | 50° | 65° | — | — |
| 1979 | 66° | 43° | 54° | — | — |
| 1978 | 77° | 49° | 63° | — | — |
| 1977 | 72° | 58° | 65° | 0.76" | — |
| 1976 | 88° | 60° | 74° | — | — |
| 1975 | 88° | 63° | 75° | 0.2" | — |
| 1974warmest | 85° | 66° | 75° | — | — |
| 1973 | 78° | 63° | 70° | 0.25" | — |
| 1972 | 87° | 56° | 71° | — | — |
| 1971 | 70° | 50° | 60° | — | — |
55 years of data from ANKENY