May weather forecast
Des Moines, IA

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

Weather in May

As May arrives to Des Moines, the weather gets closer to summer, with obvious increases in temperature and a substantial rise in rainfall often leading to the growth of lush landscapes. The city shines under high sunshine hours and longer daylight hours, hinting at the arrival of the longest day of the year. The UV Index takes a boost, implying the necessity to take precautions against the increasingly harsh sun. Particularly noticeable in May is the highest recorded rainfall in the entire year: 2.76" (70mm). Despite frequent showers, the month of May offers a beautiful mix of spring flowers and the onset of summer.

Temperature

As May begins, there is an increase in the average high-temperature, moving from a mild 59.7°F (15.4°C) in April to a pleasant 69.6°F (20.9°C). In May, the temperature drops to an average of 53.1°F (11.7°C) at night.

Humidity

In Des Moines, Iowa, the average relative humidity in May is 78%.

Rainfall

The month with the most rainfall is May, when the rain falls for 15.3 days and typically aggregates up to 2.76" (70mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall are January through May, October through December. May is the last month it regularly snows. During 0.2 snowfall days, in May, Des Moines aggregates 0.08" (2mm) of snow. In Des Moines, during the entire year, snow falls for 30.9 days and aggregates up to 7.36" (187mm) of snow.

Daylight

In Des Moines, the average length of the day in May is 14h and 33min.
On the first day of May, sunrise is at 6:09 am and sunset at 8:12 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 5:42 am and sunset at 8:41 pm CDT.

Sunshine

In May, the average sunshine is 8.6h.

UV index

In May, the average daily maximum UV index is 5. A UV Index estimate of 3 to 5 represents a moderate health risk from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for the ordinary person.
Note: In May, the maximum UV index of 5 suggests these recommendations:
Take necessary precautions - Protection from skin and eye injury is mandatory. The Sun is at its harshest during midday; protect yourself by staying in shaded areas and minimizing exposure. Safeguard your eyes, ears, and face from sun rays with the aid of a wide-brim hat. Consider this! The reflection from snow can almost double the intensity of the Sun's UV radiation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the temperature in May?

The high-temperature, in May, in Des Moines, records 69.6°F (20.9°C), while the low-temperature is 53.1°F (11.7°C).

What is the average humidity in May?

In Des Moines, the average relative humidity in May is 78%.

What is the rainiest month?

May is the month with the most rainfall. Rain falls for 15.3 days and accumulates 2.76" (70mm) of precipitation.

How much does it rain in May?

In Des Moines, in May, it is raining for 15.3 days, with typically 2.76" (70mm) of accumulated precipitation.

What is the last month it snows?

May is the last month it regularly snows. During 0.2 snowfall days, in May, Des Moines aggregates 0.08" (2mm) of snow.

What is the average length of the day in May?

In Des Moines, the average day length in May is 14h and 33min.

When are sunrise and sunset in May?

On the first day of May, sunrise is at 6:09 am and sunset at 8:12 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 5:42 am and sunset at 8:41 pm CDT.

How many hours of sunshine does Des Moines have in May?

In May, the average sunshine duration is 8.6h.

How high is the UV index in May?

In May, the average daily maximum UV index is 5. A UV Index of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate health threat from unsafe exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in May
Des Moines, IA

Average temperature in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average high temperature in May: 69.6°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 May: 53.1°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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average pressure in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average pressure in May: 29.93"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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average wind speed in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average wind speed in May: 8.8mph

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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average humidity in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average humidity in May: 78%

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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average rainfall in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average rainfall in May: 2.76"

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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average rainfall days in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average rainfall days in May: 15.3 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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average snowfall in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average snowfall in May: 0.08"

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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average snowfall days in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average snowfall days in May: 0.2 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 May /
Average sunshine in May
Des Moines, IA

Average daylight in May / Average sunshine in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average daylight in May: 14h and 3min

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 May: 8h and 4min

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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average sunshine days in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average sunshine days in May: 12.4 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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average UV index in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average UV index in May: 5

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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average cloud cover in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average cloud cover in May: 41

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 May
Des Moines, IA

Average visibility in May - Des Moines, IA
  • Average visibility in May: 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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