Late summer · Weather & things to do
Des Moines in August
Des Moines edges cooler than July, with highs of 85°F (30°C), lows of 64°F (18°C) and about 4.3 in (110 mm) of rain.
It scores 75/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 85°F (30°C)
- Avg low
- 64°F (18°C)
- Rain
- 4.3 in (110 mm)
- Humidity
- 69%
- Cloud cover
- 48%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 41 min
- Comfort score
- 75/100 · Great
What August feels like
Highs settle around 85°F (30°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
Nights cool to an average low of 64°F (18°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.3 in (110 mm).
Plan around August
August is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (September & October).
- Comfort holds steady from July (73 → 75/100).
- August sits inside the May – Oct window our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clothes85°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Des Moines in August
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Court Avenue Brewing Company
Brewpub open since 1996 in a historic downtown warehouse.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Riverside gardens and a domed tropical conservatory.
Why now August scores 75/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Free outdoor park with works by Jaume Plensa, Claes Oldenburg and others.
Why now Highs near 85°F and 4.3 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Iowa State Capitol
Gold-domed capitol with a free tour and an ornate law library.
Raygun
Local print shop with screenprinted shirts and wry Midwest humor.
Nearby in August
- Omaha in August~122 mi · highs 86°F, 4.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in August~151 mi · highs 80°F, 4.2 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Dubuque in August~164 mi · highs 82°F, 4.1 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in August~179 mi · highs 88°F, 5.0 in rain · 1°C (2°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 August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Des Moines?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 75/100 against a best of 90 in September & October. Expect highs of 85°F (30°C) and 4.3 in (110 mm) of rain. August is inside the May – Oct window our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends.
How hot is Des Moines in August?
Average highs are 85°F (30°C) and average lows 64°F (18°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Des Moines in August?
Some: about 4.3 in (110 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.8 in (883 mm).
What should I pack for Des Moines in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (85°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Des Moines
Routes in season in August
- Iowa Driftless & River Towns May – Oct
Planning Des Moines in August?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.