Late spring · Weather & things to do
Des Moines in May
Des Moines warms up: highs climb to 73°F (23°C), from 63°F in April, with lows of 51°F (11°C) and about 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain.
It scores 80/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 73°F (23°C)
- Avg low
- 51°F (11°C)
- Rain
- 4.7 in (120 mm)
- Humidity
- 73%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 21 min
- Comfort score
- 80/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs settle around 73°F (23°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Nights cool to an average low of 51°F (11°C).
Expect regular rain: about 4.7 in (120 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (September & October).
- First warm month: highs reach 73°F, up from 63°F in April.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (May – July), which brings about 13.5 in (344 mm) in total.
- Comfort holds steady from April (81 → 80/100).
- May sits inside the May – Oct window our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 73°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Des Moines in May
With 4.7 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Court Avenue Brewing Company
Brewpub open since 1996 in a historic downtown warehouse.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 4.7 in of rain.
Des Moines Art Center
Free art museum in buildings by Saarinen, Pei and Meier.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 4.7 in of rain.
Iowa State Capitol
Gold-domed capitol with a free tour and an ornate law library.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in May.
Raygun
Local print shop with screenprinted shirts and wry Midwest humor.
Zombie Burger + Bird
Horror-themed burger joint in the East Village with over-the-top burgers and thick shakes.
Why now Easy to slot in when May's rain moves in.
Nearby in May
- Omaha in May~122 mi · highs 73°F, 4.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in May~151 mi · highs 68°F, 4.7 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Dubuque in May~164 mi · highs 70°F, 4.3 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in May~179 mi · highs 75°F, 5.6 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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Des Moines?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 80/100 against a best of 90 in September & October. Expect highs of 73°F (23°C) and 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Oct window our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends.
How hot is Des Moines in May?
Average highs are 73°F (23°C) and average lows 51°F (11°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Des Moines in May?
Yes: about 4.7 in (120 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.8 in (883 mm).
What should I pack for Des Moines in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 73°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Des Moines
Routes in season in May
- Iowa Driftless & River Towns May – Oct
Planning Des Moines in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.