Des Moines · January
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 31°F, low 14°F. Layering becomes the workout. Subfreezing mornings mean midday is the only reliably runnable window. Layer up and watch for wind chill.
Avg high / low
31° / 14°F
Humidity
73%
Rain days
10/mo
Wind
14 mph
What January feels like in Des Moines
Sunrise
08:36
Mid-month average
Sunset
18:10
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 January
The kit for January in Des Moines: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings.
January vs the surrounding months
vs December
-8° avg high
0 rain days
Des Moines in December →
January
31°F avg high
10 rain days
Best: midday
vs February
-2° avg high
+1 rain days
Des Moines in February →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Des Moines in January?+
Midday. Subfreezing mornings mean midday is the only reliably runnable window. Layer up and watch for wind chill.
What's the average temperature in Des Moines in January?+
Average high 31°F, average low 14°F.
How does January compare to surrounding months in Des Moines?+
Compared to December (avg high 39°F), January is cooler. Compared to February (avg high 33°F), January is cooler.
Does it rain often in Des Moines in January?+
Expect about 10 measurable rain days in January, on average.