Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Des Moines (USC00292453), New Mexico, United States, with 79 years of record.
Key Facts for Des Moines
Des Moines (USC00292453) is a weather station in New Mexico, United States at 36.75 latitude and -103.83 longitude, 2,018 m (6,620 ft) above sea level.
The station reports from 1916 to 1994, 79 years of record.
1,464 records set at Des Moines still stand.
Records are tracked for tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
Des Moines tied a daily record high minimum temperature of 18.3 C (64.9 F) on 27 June 1994.
About the Station
Location: New Mexico, United States, 36.75 latitude, -103.83 longitude.
Elevation: 2,018 m (6,620 ft).
Period of record: 1916 to 1994, 79 years.
Eligible elements: tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd.
Daily Record Envelope and 2026
0 days at or beyond a record
Record highRecord low2026 daily maximum2026 daily minimum
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Des Moines. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Des Moines, with 2026 drawn through them
Month
Highest record high
Lowest record low
2026 highest maximum
2026 lowest minimum
Jan
26.1 C (79.0 F)
-33.3 C (-27.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Feb
23.9 C (75.0 F)
-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Mar
28.3 C (82.9 F)
-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Apr
30.6 C (87.1 F)
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
n/a
n/a
May
33.3 C (91.9 F)
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Jun
37.8 C (100.0 F)
-4.4 C (24.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Jul
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1.7 C (35.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Aug
36.7 C (98.1 F)
4.4 C (39.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Sep
35.6 C (96.1 F)
-6.7 C (19.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Oct
33.3 C (91.9 F)
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Nov
26.7 C (80.1 F)
-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Dec
25.6 C (78.1 F)
-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Which Years Hold Standing Records
1,464 standing records
Year with most
1,464 records at Des Moines still stand. 1917 holds the most, with 66.
Standing records at Des Moines by the year they were set
Year set
Standing records
1916
34
1917
66
1918
56
1919
15
1920
23
1921
27
1922
22
1923
8
1924
21
1925
37
1926
20
1927
16
1928
45
1929
10
1930
13
1931
13
1932
11
1933
18
1934
17
1935
26
1936
6
1937
14
1938
17
1939
17
1940
12
1941
12
1942
9
1943
14
1944
9
1945
24
1946
21
1947
18
1948
33
1949
11
1950
22
1951
17
1952
23
1953
20
1954
19
1955
25
1956
18
1957
18
1958
5
1959
17
1960
22
1961
15
1962
26
1963
29
1964
17
1965
21
1966
15
1967
17
1968
6
1969
22
1970
15
1971
35
1972
13
1973
18
1974
11
1975
11
1976
12
1977
8
1978
19
1979
9
1980
24
1981
8
1982
12
1983
26
1984
15
1985
14
1986
14
1987
11
1988
10
1989
28
1990
15
1991
19
1992
9
1993
9
1994
10
All-Time Record Progression
1 new records
1 all-time records were set at Des Moines between 27 January 1948 and 27 January 1948. Each dot is a new record.
When Des Moines set new all-time records
Date
Kind
Detail
1948-01-27
Record low minimum temperature
Record low minimum temperature -33.3 C (-27.9 F)
Wettest Day of Each Month
Sep: 109.0 mm (4.3 in)
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Des Moines. The most was 109.0 mm (4.3 in) on 1 September 1942.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Des Moines
Month
Record daily precipitation (mm)
Date
Jan
30.5 mm (1.2 in)
23 January 1921
Feb
28.2 mm (1.1 in)
20 February 1983
Mar
64.8 mm (2.6 in)
16 March 1946
Apr
63.2 mm (2.5 in)
20 April 1942
May
79.8 mm (3.1 in)
19 May 1955
Jun
58.2 mm (2.3 in)
16 June 1946
Jul
62.7 mm (2.5 in)
30 July 1982
Aug
81.0 mm (3.2 in)
7 August 1929
Sep
109.0 mm (4.3 in)
1 September 1942
Oct
72.4 mm (2.9 in)
10 October 1930
Nov
58.9 mm (2.3 in)
25 November 1940
Dec
29.5 mm (1.2 in)
3 December 1947
Period of Record Coverage
1916 to 1994
Complete yearUnder 90 percent of days
79 years of record at Des Moines, 1916 to 1994. 11 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1916, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1927, 1943, 1947, 1948 and others.
Cooler than the station meanWarmer than the station mean
One stripe for each of 62 complete years at Des Moines, 1917 to 1993. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 9.7 C (49.5 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 1929, at 8.3 C (46.9 F), and the warmest was 1934, at 11.4 C (52.5 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.7 C (3.1 F).
Annual mean temperature at Des Moines as warming stripes, 1917 to 1993
Year
Annual mean temperature
Difference from the station mean
1917
10.6 C
+0.90 C
1918
10.7 C
+1.01 C
1919
9.4 C
-0.31 C
1920
9.7 C
+0.01 C
1921
11.1 C
+1.36 C
1928
8.7 C
-1.01 C
1929
8.3 C
-1.48 C
1931
9.3 C
-0.41 C
1932
9.3 C
-0.48 C
1933
10.8 C
+1.03 C
1934
11.4 C
+1.68 C
1935
9.3 C
-0.42 C
1936
9.2 C
-0.57 C
1937
10.1 C
+0.34 C
1939
10.1 C
+0.40 C
1940
9.7 C
+0.01 C
1941
9.1 C
-0.63 C
1942
9.2 C
-0.56 C
1944
8.7 C
-1.00 C
1945
8.5 C
-1.20 C
1952
8.9 C
-0.81 C
1953
9.7 C
-0.04 C
1954
10.7 C
+1.01 C
1955
9.6 C
-0.17 C
1956
10.5 C
+0.72 C
1957
9.8 C
+0.09 C
1958
10.0 C
+0.30 C
1959
9.7 C
-0.02 C
1960
9.5 C
-0.21 C
1961
9.1 C
-0.66 C
1962
10.2 C
+0.50 C
1963
10.8 C
+1.08 C
1964
9.5 C
-0.21 C
1965
9.6 C
-0.15 C
1966
9.9 C
+0.20 C
1967
9.7 C
-0.02 C
1968
9.5 C
-0.25 C
1969
9.5 C
-0.28 C
1970
9.6 C
-0.18 C
1971
9.6 C
-0.11 C
1972
10.1 C
+0.33 C
1973
9.3 C
-0.48 C
1974
9.9 C
+0.15 C
1975
9.1 C
-0.68 C
1976
9.6 C
-0.10 C
1977
10.5 C
+0.75 C
1978
9.8 C
+0.07 C
1979
9.2 C
-0.57 C
1980
10.5 C
+0.72 C
1981
10.7 C
+0.97 C
1982
9.4 C
-0.32 C
1983
9.2 C
-0.54 C
1984
9.4 C
-0.32 C
1985
9.5 C
-0.20 C
1986
10.3 C
+0.59 C
1987
9.4 C
-0.35 C
1988
9.8 C
+0.04 C
1989
10.2 C
+0.46 C
1990
10.0 C
+0.27 C
1991
9.6 C
-0.10 C
1992
9.7 C
-0.05 C
1993
9.3 C
-0.41 C
The fitted trend in annual mean temperature here over 1917 to 1993 is -0.01 C (-0.08 to 0.06) per decade. The interval includes zero, so the trend is not clearly different from zero. In Fahrenheit: -0.02 F (-0.15 to 0.12) per decade. The slope is a straight line fitted to 62 complete years; the brackets give its 95 percent interval.
Fitted temperature trends per decade at Des Moines
Measure
Per decade (C)
Per decade (F)
Period
Complete years
Reading
Annual mean temperature
-0.01 C (-0.08 to 0.06) per decade
-0.02 F (-0.15 to 0.12) per decade
1917 to 1993
62
Not clearly different from zero
Mean daily maximum
-0.14 C (-0.24 to -0.04) per decade
-0.3 F (-0.4 to -0.1) per decade
1917 to 1993
62
Fall
Mean daily minimum
0.12 C (0.05 to 0.19) per decade
0.2 F (0.1 to 0.3) per decade
1917 to 1993
62
Rise
A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.
Extremes by Year
1916 to 1994
Yearly extremes at Des Moines: the record and the median year
Measure
Record
Year of the record
Median year
Years with a value
Hottest day (TXx)
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1918
34.4 C (93.9 F)
79
Coldest night (TNn)
-33.3 C (-27.9 F)
1948
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
79
Wettest day (Rx1day)
109.0 mm (4.3 in)
1942
39.9 mm (1.6 in)
79
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
159.8 mm (6.3 in)
1929
66.1 mm (2.6 in)
79
Longest dry spell (CDD)
84 days
1925
37 days
79
Hottest day (TXx)
The hottest day of the year at Des Moines, 1916 to 1994. The record is 38.9 C (102.0 F) in 1918, marked on the chart; the median year is 34.4 C (93.9 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at Des Moines by year
Year
Hottest day (TXx)
1916
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1917
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1918
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1919
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1920
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1921
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1922
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1923
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1924
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1925
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1926
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1927
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1928
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1929
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1930
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1931
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1932
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1933
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1934
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1935
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1936
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1937
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1938
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1939
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1940
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1941
31.1 C (88.0 F)
1942
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1943
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1944
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1945
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1946
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1947
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1948
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1949
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1950
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1951
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1952
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1953
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1954
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1955
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1956
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1957
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1958
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1959
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1960
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1961
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1962
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1963
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1964
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1965
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1966
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1967
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1968
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1969
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1970
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1971
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1972
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1973
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1974
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1975
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1976
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1977
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1978
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1979
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1980
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1981
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1982
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1983
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1984
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1985
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1986
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1987
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1988
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1989
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1990
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1991
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1992
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1993
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1994
36.7 C (98.1 F)
Coldest night (TNn)
The coldest night of the year at Des Moines, 1916 to 1994. The record is -33.3 C (-27.9 F) in 1948, marked on the chart; the median year is -23.9 C (-11.0 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at Des Moines by year
Year
Coldest night (TNn)
1916
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1917
-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1918
-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
1919
-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
1920
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1921
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1922
-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
1923
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1924
-28.9 C (-20.0 F)
1925
-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
1926
-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
1927
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1928
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1929
-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
1930
-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
1931
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1932
-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
1933
-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
1934
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
1935
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1936
-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
1937
-27.8 C (-18.0 F)
1938
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
1939
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1940
-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1941
-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
1942
-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
1943
-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
1944
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1945
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1946
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1947
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1948
-33.3 C (-27.9 F)
1949
-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
1950
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1951
-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
1952
-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
1953
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
1954
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1955
-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
1956
-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
1957
-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
1958
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
1959
-27.8 C (-18.0 F)
1960
-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1961
-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
1962
-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
1963
-32.8 C (-27.0 F)
1964
-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
1965
-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
1966
-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
1967
-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
1968
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1969
-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
1970
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1971
-27.8 C (-18.0 F)
1972
-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1973
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1974
-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1975
-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
1976
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1977
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1978
-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
1979
-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
1980
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1981
-27.2 C (-17.0 F)
1982
-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
1983
-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
1984
-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
1985
-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1986
-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
1987
-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
1988
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1989
-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
1990
-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
1991
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1992
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
1993
-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
1994
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
Wettest day (Rx1day)
The wettest day of the year at Des Moines, 1916 to 1994. The record is 109.0 mm (4.3 in) in 1942, marked on the chart; the median year is 39.9 mm (1.6 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Des Moines by year
Year
Wettest day (Rx1day)
1916
74.2 mm (2.9 in)
1917
35.6 mm (1.4 in)
1918
43.2 mm (1.7 in)
1919
63.5 mm (2.5 in)
1920
44.5 mm (1.8 in)
1921
63.5 mm (2.5 in)
1922
57.2 mm (2.3 in)
1923
78.7 mm (3.1 in)
1924
25.4 mm (1.0 in)
1925
22.9 mm (0.9 in)
1926
26.9 mm (1.1 in)
1927
39.9 mm (1.6 in)
1928
29.5 mm (1.2 in)
1929
81.0 mm (3.2 in)
1930
72.4 mm (2.9 in)
1931
67.3 mm (2.6 in)
1932
45.7 mm (1.8 in)
1933
36.6 mm (1.4 in)
1934
30.2 mm (1.2 in)
1935
27.4 mm (1.1 in)
1936
32.0 mm (1.3 in)
1937
24.1 mm (0.9 in)
1938
22.1 mm (0.9 in)
1939
58.2 mm (2.3 in)
1940
69.1 mm (2.7 in)
1941
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
1942
109.0 mm (4.3 in)
1943
35.8 mm (1.4 in)
1944
43.2 mm (1.7 in)
1945
32.3 mm (1.3 in)
1946
66.5 mm (2.6 in)
1947
62.5 mm (2.5 in)
1948
57.2 mm (2.3 in)
1949
21.3 mm (0.8 in)
1950
55.1 mm (2.2 in)
1951
46.2 mm (1.8 in)
1952
41.7 mm (1.6 in)
1953
34.0 mm (1.3 in)
1954
65.3 mm (2.6 in)
1955
79.8 mm (3.1 in)
1956
36.8 mm (1.4 in)
1957
22.9 mm (0.9 in)
1958
35.1 mm (1.4 in)
1959
27.2 mm (1.1 in)
1960
38.9 mm (1.5 in)
1961
27.4 mm (1.1 in)
1962
39.1 mm (1.5 in)
1963
34.3 mm (1.4 in)
1964
27.4 mm (1.1 in)
1965
38.1 mm (1.5 in)
1966
23.4 mm (0.9 in)
1967
66.5 mm (2.6 in)
1968
38.1 mm (1.5 in)
1969
36.1 mm (1.4 in)
1970
35.3 mm (1.4 in)
1971
38.4 mm (1.5 in)
1972
60.5 mm (2.4 in)
1973
49.5 mm (1.9 in)
1974
44.7 mm (1.8 in)
1975
31.8 mm (1.3 in)
1976
42.9 mm (1.7 in)
1977
88.9 mm (3.5 in)
1978
27.2 mm (1.1 in)
1979
53.1 mm (2.1 in)
1980
59.9 mm (2.4 in)
1981
36.6 mm (1.4 in)
1982
62.7 mm (2.5 in)
1983
29.5 mm (1.2 in)
1984
33.5 mm (1.3 in)
1985
55.1 mm (2.2 in)
1986
42.7 mm (1.7 in)
1987
53.8 mm (2.1 in)
1988
46.2 mm (1.8 in)
1989
27.7 mm (1.1 in)
1990
33.5 mm (1.3 in)
1991
59.7 mm (2.4 in)
1992
36.1 mm (1.4 in)
1993
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
1994
55.9 mm (2.2 in)
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
The wettest five days of the year at Des Moines, 1916 to 1994. The record is 159.8 mm (6.3 in) in 1929, marked on the chart; the median year is 66.1 mm (2.6 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Des Moines by year
Year
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
1916
83.1 mm (3.3 in)
1917
44.0 mm (1.7 in)
1918
85.5 mm (3.4 in)
1919
122.0 mm (4.8 in)
1920
98.6 mm (3.9 in)
1921
79.2 mm (3.1 in)
1922
64.1 mm (2.5 in)
1923
112.8 mm (4.4 in)
1924
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
1925
46.5 mm (1.8 in)
1926
49.0 mm (1.9 in)
1927
74.7 mm (2.9 in)
1928
48.3 mm (1.9 in)
1929
159.8 mm (6.3 in)
1930
72.4 mm (2.9 in)
1931
121.5 mm (4.8 in)
1932
49.0 mm (1.9 in)
1933
45.0 mm (1.8 in)
1934
39.4 mm (1.6 in)
1935
66.1 mm (2.6 in)
1936
49.0 mm (1.9 in)
1937
39.0 mm (1.5 in)
1938
30.1 mm (1.2 in)
1939
79.6 mm (3.1 in)
1940
76.7 mm (3.0 in)
1941
150.2 mm (5.9 in)
1942
144.1 mm (5.7 in)
1943
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
1944
72.5 mm (2.9 in)
1945
55.7 mm (2.2 in)
1946
80.3 mm (3.2 in)
1947
45.2 mm (1.8 in)
1948
57.2 mm (2.3 in)
1949
42.2 mm (1.7 in)
1950
75.2 mm (3.0 in)
1951
89.9 mm (3.5 in)
1952
73.6 mm (2.9 in)
1953
61.4 mm (2.4 in)
1954
80.3 mm (3.2 in)
1955
154.7 mm (6.1 in)
1956
52.8 mm (2.1 in)
1957
37.2 mm (1.5 in)
1958
81.9 mm (3.2 in)
1959
48.6 mm (1.9 in)
1960
90.4 mm (3.6 in)
1961
43.9 mm (1.7 in)
1962
62.2 mm (2.4 in)
1963
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1964
49.1 mm (1.9 in)
1965
71.4 mm (2.8 in)
1966
39.8 mm (1.6 in)
1967
83.5 mm (3.3 in)
1968
75.4 mm (3.0 in)
1969
66.1 mm (2.6 in)
1970
42.5 mm (1.7 in)
1971
56.0 mm (2.2 in)
1972
74.7 mm (2.9 in)
1973
70.5 mm (2.8 in)
1974
49.2 mm (1.9 in)
1975
68.6 mm (2.7 in)
1976
49.8 mm (2.0 in)
1977
129.0 mm (5.1 in)
1978
64.7 mm (2.5 in)
1979
85.9 mm (3.4 in)
1980
73.6 mm (2.9 in)
1981
78.2 mm (3.1 in)
1982
72.1 mm (2.8 in)
1983
70.6 mm (2.8 in)
1984
52.3 mm (2.1 in)
1985
61.4 mm (2.4 in)
1986
90.7 mm (3.6 in)
1987
62.7 mm (2.5 in)
1988
52.1 mm (2.1 in)
1989
41.0 mm (1.6 in)
1990
44.5 mm (1.8 in)
1991
104.2 mm (4.1 in)
1992
56.1 mm (2.2 in)
1993
70.5 mm (2.8 in)
1994
85.9 mm (3.4 in)
Longest dry spell (CDD)
The longest dry spell of the year at Des Moines, 1916 to 1994. The record is 84 days in 1925, marked on the chart; the median year is 37 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Des Moines by year
Year
Longest dry spell (CDD)
1916
69 days
1917
29 days
1918
27 days
1919
28 days
1920
34 days
1921
44 days
1922
41 days
1923
37 days
1924
52 days
1925
84 days
1926
27 days
1927
48 days
1928
43 days
1929
22 days
1930
34 days
1931
43 days
1932
25 days
1933
41 days
1934
25 days
1935
34 days
1936
49 days
1937
43 days
1938
24 days
1939
31 days
1940
22 days
1941
53 days
1942
31 days
1943
40 days
1944
22 days
1945
27 days
1946
37 days
1947
36 days
1948
43 days
1949
39 days
1950
45 days
1951
40 days
1952
47 days
1953
27 days
1954
37 days
1955
54 days
1956
41 days
1957
32 days
1958
41 days
1959
25 days
1960
33 days
1961
26 days
1962
31 days
1963
53 days
1964
34 days
1965
53 days
1966
49 days
1967
42 days
1968
37 days
1969
43 days
1970
48 days
1971
40 days
1972
56 days
1973
39 days
1974
26 days
1975
40 days
1976
30 days
1977
36 days
1978
32 days
1979
31 days
1980
64 days
1981
21 days
1982
29 days
1983
19 days
1984
29 days
1985
44 days
1986
31 days
1987
57 days
1988
40 days
1989
43 days
1990
42 days
1991
51 days
1992
68 days
1993
27 days
1994
36 days
Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.
Frost Dates and Growing Season
62 years with a frost
Across 62 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at Des Moines falls on 14 May and the median first autumn frost on 4 October, which leaves a median of 140 days between them.
In 1964 to 1993 the median growing season was 140 days. The two periods have the same number of growing days.
Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by -0.2 days per decade at this station.
Frost dates and growing season at Des Moines
Measure
Median, all years
Earliest period (1917 to 1961)
Recent period (1964 to 1993)
Recent against earliest
Fitted trend
Last spring frost
14 May
15 May
13 May
2 days earlier
-0.6 days per decade
First autumn frost
4 October
4 October
2 October
2 days earlier
-0.8 days per decade
Growing days
140 days
140 days
140 days
no change
-0.2 days per decade
A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.
Rainfall Return Levels
70 years, 1917 to 1993
A day with at least 41.6 mm (1.6 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 102.9 mm (4.1 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.
Rainfall return levels at Des Moines: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once in
A day with at least
Note
2 years
41.6 mm (1.6 in)
5 years
57.3 mm (2.3 in)
10 years
68.0 mm (2.7 in)
25 years
81.9 mm (3.2 in)
50 years
92.3 mm (3.6 in)
100 years
102.9 mm (4.1 in)
Longer than the 70 years of record
The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 70 years of values from 1917 to 1993.
A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.
The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 88.9 mm (3.5 in) in 1977; 81.3 mm (3.2 in) in 1941; 81.0 mm (3.2 in) in 1929.
Station Changes
1 suspected
One change was suspected in the annual mean temperature of Des Moines, at 1957. Each is measured against neighbouring stations.
Relative to 5 neighbouring stations, the station's annual mean temperature from 1957 ran 0.4 C (0.6 F) higher than in the years before (possible change).
Suspected changes in the annual mean temperature at Des Moines, against neighbouring stations
Year
Shift (C)
Shift (F)
Strength
Neighbours
1957
+0.4
+0.6
possible
5
Possible change at the station (a move, a new instrument or a new site); the record is kept as measured. A "likely" change has a larger test statistic than a "possible" one. Neither says why the station differs from its neighbours. How changes are found, and the largest ones.
Download the Data
Data for Des Moines standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Data for Des Moines threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-15 (15 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.