January weather forecast
Iowa, USA

January in Iowa is characterized by its frigid temperatures and frequent snowfall. As the heart of winter grips the state, daytime temperatures consistently remain below freezing. The mercury isn't uncommonly seen descending to extremes like -20°F (-28.9°C), especially in more inland areas away from rivers or lakes that might provide some temperate moderation. In fact, some of Iowa's historical low temperature records, such as the -47°F (-43.9°C) recorded in Elkader in 1996, have been set during this month, cementing January's reputation as one of the coldest periods of the year.

The snowfall during January is a defining feature. However, while snowfall is common, the accumulations are often moderate, especially when compared to some of the state's snowier months. Despite the colder temperatures and the snow, January is typically the driest month in terms of liquid precipitation, with the state seeing less rain compared to the subsequent months of February and March.

It's noteworthy to mention that while most of Iowa experiences these chilly conditions, there can be slight variations based on location. Cities closer to large bodies of water, like Dubuque near the Mississippi River, might experience marginally warmer conditions due to the moderating influence of the water. However, this difference is often negligible when considering the overall cold nature of January in Iowa.

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• Des Moines - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Des Moines is January, when snow falls for 8.7 days and typically aggregates up to 2.24" (57mm) of snow. In Des Moines, Iowa, in January, during 8.7 snowfall days, 2.24" (57mm) of snow is typically accumulated.
• Cedar Rapids - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Cedar Rapids is January, when snow falls for 10.3 days and typically aggregates up to 2.64" (67mm) of snow. The months with the least rainfall in Cedar Rapids are January and February Rain falls for 4.2 days and accumulates 0.63" (16mm) of rain.
• Davenport - January »
  In Davenport, in January, during 10.9 snowfall days, 3.98" (101mm) of snow is typically accumulated. In Davenport in January, during 4.3 rainfall days, 1.3" (33mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated.
• Sioux City - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Sioux City is January, when snow falls for 8.2 days and typically aggregates up to 1.77" (45mm) of snow. The month with the most snowfall in Sioux City is January, when snow falls for 8.2 days and typically aggregates up to 1.77" (45mm) of snow.
• Iowa City - January »
  The months with the least rainfall in Iowa City, Iowa, are January and February Rain falls for 5.7 days and accumulates 1.34" (34mm) of rain. January and February are months with the least rain in Iowa City when the rain falls for 5.7 days and typically aggregates up to 1.34" (34mm) of rain.
• Waterloo - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Waterloo is January, when snow falls for 11.5 days and typically aggregates up to 4.21" (107mm) of snow. The months with the least rainfall in Waterloo are January and February Rain falls for 4.1 days and accumulates 1.02" (26mm) of rain.
• Ames - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Ames is January, when snow falls for 9.1 days and typically aggregates up to 4.06" (103mm) of snow. In Ames in January, during 9.1 snowfall days, 4.06" (103mm) of snow is typically accumulated.
• West Des Moines - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in West Des Moines is January, when snow falls for 10.4 days and typically aggregates up to 4.37" (111mm) of snow. The month with the least rainfall in West Des Moines is January, when the rain falls for 4.9 days and typically collects 0.91" (23mm) of precipitation.
• Council Bluffs - January »
  The month with the least rainfall in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is January, when the rain falls for 4.6 days and typically collects 0.59" (15mm) of precipitation. In Council Bluffs during January, snow falls for 8.8 days and regularly aggregates up to 2.17" (55mm) of snow.
• Dubuque - January »
  The month with the most snowfall in Dubuque is January, when snow falls for 12.8 days and typically aggregates up to 4.88" (124mm) of snow. The month with the most snowfall in Dubuque is January, when snow falls for 12.8 days and typically aggregates up to 4.88" (124mm) of snow.
• Ankeny - January »
  The month with the least rainfall in Ankeny is January, when the rain falls for 4.9 days and typically collects 0.94" (24mm) of precipitation. In Ankeny in January, during 9.8 snowfall days, 4.09" (104mm) of snow is typically accumulated.
• Urbandale - January »
  The month with the least rainfall in Urbandale is January, when the rain falls for 3.8 days and typically collects 0.47" (12mm) of precipitation. The month with the most snowfall in Urbandale is January, when snow falls for 8.4 days and typically aggregates up to 2.2" (56mm) of snow.