Basile Morin / CC BY-SA 4.0
Des Moines, IA Weather on October 16
Des Moines hits 82°F on October 16, 2016: Record warmth breaks typical autumn balance
October 16 in Des Moines typically offers mild autumn conditions with highs near 63°F and lows around 42°F, but 2016 shattered expectations with a record high of 82°F. This 19-degree jump above normal demonstrates the volatility of October weather in Iowa, contrasting sharply with the record low of 29°F set in 1976, showing a 53-degree range across 55 years of observations for this date.
What to Expect on October 16
Planning for October 16th in Des Moines, IA? Great weather for outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the warmest October 16 ever in Des Moines?
The warmest October 16 in Des Moines, IA reached 85°F in 1999. That is 21°F above the long-term average high of 64°F.
What was the coldest October 16 ever in Des Moines?
The coldest October 16 in Des Moines, IA dropped to 25°F in 1976. That is 14°F below the long-term average low of 39°F.
What is the average temperature on October 16 in Des Moines?
On October 16, Des Moines averages a high of 64°F and a low of 39°F based on 55 years of NOAA weather observations from ANKENY.
How many years of weather data are available for October 16 in Des Moines?
We have 55 years of weather records for October 16 in Des Moines, IA, sourced from NOAA's Global Historical Climatology Network. Records include daily high and low temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall data going back to 2025.
October 16 Weather History in Des Moines
| Year | High | Low | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 81°F | 60°F | 0.05" | -- |
| 2024 | 61°F | 31°F | 0" | -- |
| 2023 | 65°F | 41°F | 0" | -- |
| 2022 | 57°F | 36°F | 0" | -- |
| 2021 | 65°F | 39°F | 0" | -- |
| 2020 | 74°F | 37°F | 0" | -- |
| 2019 | 57°F | 42°F | 0" | -- |
| 2018 | 64°F | 31°F | 0" | -- |
| 2017 | 57°F | 36°F | 0" | -- |
| 2016 | 69°F | 56°F | 0.05" | -- |
| 2015 | 69°F | 37°F | 0" | -- |
| 2014 | 67°F | 34°F | 0" | -- |
| 2013 | 51°F | 44°F | 0" | -- |
| 2012 | 69°F | 39°F | 0" | -- |
| 2011 | 72°F | 41°F | 0" | -- |
| 2010 | 72°F | 41°F | 0" | -- |
| 2009 | 46°F | 38°F | 0.06" | -- |
| 2008 | 59°F | 34°F | 0.06" | -- |
| 2007 | 64°F | 52°F | 0.05" | -- |
| 2006 | 61°F | 41°F | 0.2" | -- |
| 2005 | 82°F | 37°F | 0" | -- |
| 2004 | 55°F | 31°F | 0" | -- |
| 2003 | 60°F | 34°F | 0.16" | -- |
| 2002 | 55°F | 27°F | 0" | -- |
| 2001 | 51°F | 29°F | 0" | -- |
| 2000 | 80°F | 40°F | 0" | -- |
| 1999 | 85°F | 34°F | 0" | -- |
| 1998 | 73°F | 45°F | 0" | -- |
| 1997 | 60°F | 37°F | 0" | -- |
| 1996 | 73°F | 55°F | 0" | -- |
| 1995 | 62°F | 32°F | 0" | -- |
| 1994 | 61°F | 56°F | 0.3" | -- |
| 1993 | 64°F | 54°F | 0" | -- |
| 1992 | 49°F | 35°F | 0.05" | -- |
| 1991 | 54°F | 29°F | 0" | -- |
| 1990 | 60°F | 38°F | 0" | -- |
| 1989 | 70°F | 48°F | 0.52" | -- |
| 1988 | 69°F | 49°F | 0" | -- |
| 1987 | 57°F | 48°F | 0.25" | -- |
| 1986 | 73°F | 38°F | 0" | -- |
| 1985 | 66°F | 35°F | 0" | -- |
| 1984 | 53°F | 42°F | 0.82" | -- |
| 1983 | 58°F | 38°F | 0.01" | -- |
| 1982 | 60°F | 34°F | 0" | -- |
| 1981 | 67°F | 40°F | 0" | -- |
| 1980 | 70°F | 50°F | 0.4" | -- |
| 1979 | 72°F | 47°F | 0" | -- |
| 1978 | 56°F | 32°F | 0" | -- |
| 1977 | 56°F | 28°F | 0" | -- |
| 1976 | 55°F | 25°F | 0" | -- |
| 1975 | 60°F | 30°F | 0" | -- |
| 1974 | 59°F | 30°F | 0" | -- |
| 1973 | 70°F | 36°F | 0" | -- |
| 1972 | 45°F | 33°F | 0" | -- |
| 1971 | 78°F | 47°F | 0.19" | -- |
Based on 55 years of data from NOAA station: ANKENY
How Has October 16 Changed?
Temperatures on this date have remained relatively stable over the past several decades.
Monthly Climate Averages
Historical temperature and precipitation averages for Des Moines, IA, based on 55+ years of weather data.
Temperatures in Fahrenheit. Precipitation and snowfall in inches.