Mid-spring · Weather & things to do
Des Moines in April
Des Moines warms up: highs climb to 63°F (17°C), from 49°F in March, with lows of 40°F (4°C) and about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain.
It scores 81/100 for comfort, 3rd of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 63°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 40°F (4°C)
- Rain
- 3.6 in (91 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 60%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 81/100 · Great
What April feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 63°F (17°C), good for long walks.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 13°C (23°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.6 in (91 mm).
Plan around April
April is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (September & October).
- Comfort improves from 62/100 in March to 81/100.
- Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so April falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for April
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 40°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Des Moines in April
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Riverside gardens and a domed tropical conservatory.
Why now April scores 81/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Zombie Burger + Bird
Horror-themed burger joint in the East Village with over-the-top burgers and thick shakes.
Fong's Pizza
Des Moines cult pizzeria famous for the Crab Rangoon pizza and tiki-bar drinks, now in the old Peace Tree space.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Free outdoor park with works by Jaume Plensa, Claes Oldenburg and others.
Why now Highs near 63°F and 3.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Downtown Farmers' Market
One of the largest Saturday markets in the Midwest, filling Court Avenue blocks.
Nearby in April
- Omaha in April~122 mi · highs 63°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in April~151 mi · highs 57°F, 3.8 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Dubuque in April~164 mi · highs 59°F, 3.7 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in April~179 mi · highs 67°F, 4.2 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Des Moines in April: quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Des Moines?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 81/100 against a best of 90 in September & October. Expect highs of 63°F (17°C) and 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain. Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so April is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Des Moines in April?
Average highs are 63°F (17°C) and average lows 40°F (4°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Des Moines in April?
Some: about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain falls across April on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.8 in (883 mm).
What should I pack for Des Moines in April?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 40°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Des Moines
Planning Des Moines in April?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.