Late winter · Weather & things to do
Des Moines in February
Des Moines warms up: highs climb to 35°F (2°C), from 31°F in January, with lows of 16°F (-9°C) and about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 49/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 35°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 16°F (-9°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.1 in (29 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 23 min
- Comfort score
- 49/100 · Fair
What February feels like
Highs only reach about 35°F (2°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 16°F (-9°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Plan around February
February is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Comfort holds steady from January (48 → 49/100).
- Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so February falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for February
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 16°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Des Moines in February
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Downtown Farmers' Market
One of the largest Saturday markets in the Midwest, filling Court Avenue blocks.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 35°F.
Des Moines Art Center
Free art museum in buildings by Saarinen, Pei and Meier.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Court Avenue Brewing Company
Brewpub open since 1996 in a historic downtown warehouse.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 35°F.
Zombie Burger + Bird
Horror-themed burger joint in the East Village with over-the-top burgers and thick shakes.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Fong's Pizza
Des Moines cult pizzeria famous for the Crab Rangoon pizza and tiki-bar drinks, now in the old Peace Tree space.
Why now A cozy break on a 35°F day.
Nearby in February
- Omaha in February~122 mi · highs 35°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in February~151 mi · highs 29°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Dubuque in February~164 mi · highs 32°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in February~179 mi · highs 41°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
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 February: quick answers
Is February a good time to visit Des Moines?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 49/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 35°F (2°C) and 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow. Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so February is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Des Moines in February?
Average highs are 35°F (2°C) and average lows 16°F (-9°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Des Moines in February?
Not much: about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow falls across February on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 34.8 in (883 mm).
What should I pack for Des Moines in February?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 16°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Des Moines
Planning Des Moines in February?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.