Iowa climate by month
January highs across Iowa range from 30°F in Cedar Rapids to 32°F in Davenport; July highs from 86°F in Cedar Rapids to 86°F in Davenport. The most common best months across these cities are May.
Iowa weather month by month
Average of the 3 Iowa cities on this site, computed from NOAA's unrounded values (so it can differ by a degree from averaging the rounded city figures); individual cities differ, sometimes a lot.
| Month | High | Low | Wet days | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F | 14°F | 9 | 9.6 in |
| February | 36°F | 18°F | 8 | 9.0 in |
| March | 49°F | 29°F | 10 | 4.3 in |
| April | 63°F | 40°F | 11 | 1.3 in |
| May | 73°F | 51°F | 13 | 0.07 in |
| June | 82°F | 61°F | 12 | 0.0 in |
| July | 86°F | 65°F | 9 | 0.0 in |
| August | 84°F | 63°F | 9 | 0.0 in |
| September | 77°F | 54°F | 8 | 0.0 in |
| October | 64°F | 42°F | 9 | 0.5 in |
| November | 49°F | 30°F | 8 | 2.3 in |
| December | 36°F | 20°F | 9 | 8.6 in |
Regional differences
- Warmest winterDavenport: January high 32°F
- Coolest summerCedar Rapids: July high 86°F
- Most wet daysCedar Rapids: 117 a year
- Fewest wet daysDes Moines: 113 a year
- Most snowDes Moines: 36.5 in a year
Warmest and coolest Iowa city each month
| Month | Warmest | Coolest | Best month for |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Davenport 32°F | Cedar Rapids 30°F | – |
| February | Davenport 37°F | Cedar Rapids 35°F | – |
| March | Davenport 50°F | Cedar Rapids 49°F | – |
| April | Cedar Rapids 63°F | Des Moines 62°F | – |
| May | Davenport 74°F | Des Moines 72°F | 3 cities |
| June | Davenport 83°F | Des Moines 82°F | – |
| July | Davenport 86°F | Cedar Rapids 86°F | – |
| August | Davenport 84°F | Cedar Rapids 83°F | – |
| September | Davenport 78°F | Des Moines 77°F | – |
| October | Davenport 65°F | Des Moines 63°F | – |
| November | Davenport 50°F | Cedar Rapids 48°F | – |
| December | Davenport 37°F | Cedar Rapids 35°F | – |
By normal daily high. "Best month for": how many of the 3 cities have it among their best months by our comfort score.
Frost and humidity across Iowa
- Earliest typical last frostDes Moines: Apr 18
- Latest typical last frostCedar Rapids: Apr 28
- Most muggy daysDes Moines: 45 a year
- Fewest muggy daysCedar Rapids: 44 a year
All Iowa cities
| City | Jan high | Jul high | Wet days/yr | Snow/yr | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 30°F | 86°F | 117 | 34.3 in | May |
| Davenport | 32°F | 86°F | 117 | 36.1 in | May |
| Des Moines | 31°F | 86°F | 113 | 36.5 in | May |