Early spring · Weather & things to do
Des Moines in March
Des Moines warms up: highs climb to 49°F (10°C), from 35°F in February, with lows of 28°F (-2°C) and about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 62/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 49°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.9 in (48 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 64%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 40 min
- Comfort score
- 62/100 · Good
What March feels like
Cool days top out near 49°F (10°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 28°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are September & October.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by April, lows rise to 40°F.
- Last dry month before the rain picks up: April brings 3.6 in (91 mm).
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 8°C (14°F) from February.
- Comfort improves from 49/100 in February to 62/100.
- Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Des Moines in March
March is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Riverside gardens and a domed tropical conservatory.
Why now March scores 62/100 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 49°F and 1.9 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.
Court Avenue Brewing Company
Brewpub open since 1996 in a historic downtown warehouse.
Nearby in March
- Omaha in March~122 mi · highs 50°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in March~151 mi · highs 43°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Dubuque in March~164 mi · highs 46°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in March~179 mi · highs 55°F, 2.7 in rain · 3°C (6°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 March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Des Moines?
It's middling, scoring 62/100. The best months are September & October, at up to 90. Expect highs of 49°F (10°C) and 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow. Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Des Moines in March?
Average highs are 49°F (10°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Des Moines in March?
Not much: about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow falls across March on average, the 5th-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 March?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Des Moines
Planning Des Moines in March?
Share this March plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.