January weather forecast
Des Moines, IA

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City buildings in Des Moines, Iowa
City buildings in Des Moines, Iowa

Weather in January

Weather conditions in Des Moines, Iowa commence the year with a blend of cold temperatures, reasonably high humidity, and snow. The first month witnesses a modest change in daylight hours, and the modest sunshine hours indicate a relatively cloud-covered sky most of the time. Snowfall is common, an expected winter element in this part of the USA. January being the coldest month, possesses temperatures that range from 15.1°F (-9.4°C) to 28.2°F (-2.1°C). The city beautifully transforms into a winter wonderland, appealing to those enjoying snowy scenes.

Temperature

With average high temperatures of 28.2°F (-2.1°C) and lows of 15.1°F (-9.4°C), January is the coldest month.

Humidity

The months with the highest humidity are January and June, with an average relative humidity of 82%.

Rainfall

January is the month with the least rainfall. Rain falls for 4 days and accumulates 0.47" (12mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

January through May, October through December are months with snowfall. The month with the most snowfall is January, when snow falls for 8.7 days and typically aggregates up to 2.24" (57mm) of snow.

Daylight

In January, the average length of the day in Des Moines is 9h and 34min.
On the first day of January, sunrise is at 7:41 am and sunset at 4:54 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:27 am and sunset at 5:28 pm CST.

Sunshine

January has the least sunshine of the year, with an average of 4.3h of sunshine.

UV index

The month with the lowest UV index is January, with an average maximum UV index of 1. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a low health risk from unprotected exposure to Sun's UV rays for average individuals.
Note: During January, 1 as the daily maximum UV index converts into the following advice:
Children necessitate constant protection from sunlight, unlike the majority, who can remain under the sun for about an hour without burning. The Sun's radiation is especially intense around midday; try to stay in shade during this period. For effective sun eye protection, rely on sunglasses certified for UVA and UVB resistance. Beware! Reflection from snow can magnify the Sun's UV radiation nearly twofold.

Frequently asked questions

What is the coldest month?

January is the coldest month of the year, registering average temperatures as high as 28.2°F (-2.1°C) and as low as 15.1°F (-9.4°C).

How cold is it in January?

In Des Moines, 28.2°F (-2.1°C) is the average high-temperature and 15.1°F (-9.4°C) is the average low-temperature during January.

What is the most humid month?

The months with the highest humidity are January and June, with an average relative humidity of 82%.

What is the average humidity in January?

The average relative humidity in January is 82%.

What is the driest month?

The month with the least rainfall is January, when the rain falls for 4 days and typically collects 0.47" (12mm) of precipitation.

How many days does it rain in January?

In Des Moines, Iowa, during January, the rain falls for 4 days and regularly aggregates up to 0.47" (12mm) of precipitation.

When does it snow the most?

The month with the most snowfall is January, when snow falls for 8.7 days and typically aggregates up to 2.24" (57mm) of snow.

How much does it snow in Des Moines in January?

In Des Moines, during January, snow falls for 8.7 days and regularly aggregates up to 2.24" (57mm) of snow.

What is the average length of the day in January?

In January, the average day length is 9h and 34min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in January?

In January, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:41 am and sunset at 4:54 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:27 am and sunset at 5:28 pm CST.

What is the month with the least sunshine?

The month with the least sunshine is January, with an average of 4.3h of sunshine.

How long on average sun shines in January in Des Moines?

In January, the average sunshine duration is 4.3h.

When is the lowest UV index?

January is the month with the lowest UV index, with an average maximum UV index of 1.

How high is the UV index in January?

In Des Moines, Iowa, the average daily maximum UV index in January is 1. A UV Index of 2, and less, symbolizes a minimal hazard to health from unsafe exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in January
Des Moines, IA

Average temperature in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average high temperature in January: 28.2°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (83.1°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (28.2°F).

  • Average low temperature in January: 15.1°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (65.5°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (15.1°F).

Average pressure in January
Des Moines, IA

Average pressure in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average pressure in January: 30.16"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.16"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.88"Hg).

Average wind speed in January
Des Moines, IA

Average wind speed in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average wind speed in January: 10.3mph

The windiest months (with the highest average wind speed) are January, February, March and April (10.3mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are July and August (7mph).

Average humidity in January
Des Moines, IA

Average humidity in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average humidity in January: 82%

The months with the highest relative humidity are January and June (82%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (70%).

Average rainfall in January
Des Moines, IA

Average rainfall in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average rainfall in January: 0.47"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is May (2.76").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (0.47").

Average rainfall days in January
Des Moines, IA

Average rainfall days in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average rainfall days in January: 4 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is June (15.9 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (3 days).

Average snowfall in January
Des Moines, IA

Average snowfall in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average snowfall in January: 2.24"

The month with the highest snowfall is January (2.24").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0").

Average snowfall days in January
Des Moines, IA

Average snowfall days in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average snowfall days in January: 8.7 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (8.7 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July, August and September (0 days).

Average daylight in January /
Average sunshine in January
Des Moines, IA

Average daylight in January / Average sunshine in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average daylight in January: 9h and 4min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 6min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 12min).

  • Average sunshine in January: 4h and 2min

The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 10h and 18min).
The month with the least sunshine is January (Average sunshine: 4h and 18min).

Average sunshine days in January
Des Moines, IA

Average sunshine days in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average sunshine days in January: 20.3 days

The month with the most sunshine days is December (22.3 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is June (12.2 days).

Average UV index in January
Des Moines, IA

Average UV index in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average UV index in January: 1

The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 6).
The month with the lowest UV index is January (UV index 1).

Average cloud cover in January
Des Moines, IA

Average cloud cover in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average cloud cover in January: 54

The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 54).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and September (Cloud cover 29).

Average visibility in January
Des Moines, IA

Average visibility in January - Des Moines, IA
  • Average visibility in January: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

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