Weather on May 3
Des Moines, IA
55 Years of Data
About This Date
May 3rd 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 3rd was in 1981 (69°F average), while the coldest was 2013 (32°F) — a 37°F range across recorded history. Precipitation has occurred on 38% of recorded May 3rd dates, with snow falling 2% of the time (heaviest snowfall: 3"). The last decade has been 3.4°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
The last decade has been 3.4°F warmer on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
Planning for May 3rd in Des Moines, IA? Great weather for outdoor activities. Consider bringing rain gear or an umbrella.
| Year | High | Low | Avg | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 76° | 51° | 63° | — | — |
| 2025 | 62° | 44° | 53° | — | — |
| 2024 | 73° | 41° | 57° | — | — |
| 2023 | 71° | 33° | 52° | — | — |
| 2022 | 51° | 43° | 47° | 1.07" | — |
| 2021 | 70° | 54° | 62° | 0.08" | — |
| 2020 | 76° | 49° | 62° | — | — |
| 2019 | 60° | 42° | 51° | — | — |
| 2018 | 76° | 57° | 66° | 2.92" | — |
| 2017 | 63° | 39° | 51° | — | — |
| 2016 | 61° | 37° | 49° | — | — |
| 2015 | 69° | 55° | 62° | — | — |
| 2014 | 72° | 45° | 58° | — | — |
| 2013coldest | 33° | 31° | 32° | 2.67" | 3" |
| 2012 | 78° | 59° | 69° | 0.1" | — |
| 2011 | 58° | 30° | 44° | — | — |
| 2010 | 74° | 43° | 58° | 0.3" | — |
| 2009 | 68° | 42° | 55° | — | — |
| 2008 | 66° | 41° | 54° | 0.43" | — |
| 2007 | 76° | 50° | 63° | — | — |
| 2006 | 77° | 43° | 60° | 0.36" | — |
| 2005 | 52° | 26° | 39° | — | — |
| 2004 | 54° | 29° | 41° | — | — |
| 2003 | 69° | 48° | 59° | 0.33" | — |
| 2002 | 59° | 34° | 46° | — | — |
| 2001 | 66° | 55° | 61° | 3" | — |
| 2000 | 81° | 41° | 61° | — | — |
| 1999 | 74° | 56° | 65° | — | — |
| 1998 | 59° | 51° | 55° | — | — |
| 1997 | 59° | 33° | 46° | 0.46" | — |
| 1996 | 64° | 35° | 50° | 0.25" | — |
| 1995 | 61° | 42° | 51° | — | — |
| 1994 | 61° | 35° | 48° | — | — |
| 1993 | 53° | 49° | 51° | 0.71" | — |
| 1992 | 74° | 45° | 59° | — | — |
| 1991 | 63° | 45° | 54° | 0.1" | — |
| 1990 | 60° | 47° | 53° | 1.83" | — |
| 1989 | 63° | 40° | 51° | — | — |
| 1988 | 72° | 53° | 62° | — | — |
| 1987 | 62° | 51° | 57° | 0.99" | — |
| 1986 | 65° | 48° | 56° | — | — |
| 1985 | 80° | 43° | 61° | — | — |
| 1984 | 58° | 41° | 49° | 0.94" | — |
| 1983 | 63° | 43° | 53° | 1.22" | — |
| 1982 | 82° | 44° | 63° | — | — |
| 1981warmest | 80° | 58° | 69° | 0.1" | — |
| 1980 | 84° | 50° | 67° | — | — |
| 1979 | 56° | 39° | 47° | — | — |
| 1978 | 64° | 38° | 51° | — | — |
| 1977 | 80° | 56° | 68° | — | — |
| 1976 | 48° | 31° | 39° | — | — |
| 1975 | 70° | 49° | 59° | 0.25" | — |
| 1974 | 75° | 37° | 56° | 0.08" | — |
| 1973 | 62° | 40° | 51° | — | — |
| 1972 | 56° | 44° | 50° | — | — |
| 1971 | 56° | 32° | 44° | — | — |
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.