Des Moines · December
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 39°F, low 24°F. Layering becomes the workout. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
39° / 24°F
Humidity
70%
Rain days
9/mo
Wind
13 mph
What December feels like in Des Moines
Sunrise
08:33
Mid-month average
Sunset
17:47
Mid-month average
Time-of-day breakdown
Morning
Coolest, driest air of the day. The window before sunrise is the most reliable comfortable hour.
Midday
Often the warmest few hours of a cold day. If you can only run once, midday gives you the most temperate window.
Evening
Cold drops back in fast after sunset. Tight window — done before headlamp territory.
What to wear running in Des Moines in December
The kit for December in Des Moines: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings.
December vs the surrounding months
vs November
-10° avg high
0 rain days
Des Moines in November →
December
39°F avg high
9 rain days
Best: midday
vs January
+8° avg high
0 rain days
Des Moines in January →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Des Moines in December?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Des Moines in December?+
Average high 39°F, average low 24°F.
How does December compare to surrounding months in Des Moines?+
Compared to November (avg high 49°F), December is cooler. Compared to January (avg high 31°F), December is warmer.
Does it rain often in Des Moines in December?+
Expect about 9 measurable rain days in December, on average.