Late autumn · Weather & things to do
Des Moines in November
Des Moines cools off: highs slip to 49°F (9°C), from 63°F in October, with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 64/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 49°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 1.7 in (42 mm)
- Humidity
- 77%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 36 min
- Comfort score
- 64/100 · Good
What November feels like
Afternoons only reach about 49°F (9°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 30°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's November.
Plan around November
November sits mid-table; the best months are September & October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- Comfort slips from 86/100 in October to 64/100.
- Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so November falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for November
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Des Moines in November
November is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Downtown Farmers' Market
One of the largest Saturday markets in the Midwest, filling Court Avenue blocks.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Riverside gardens and a domed tropical conservatory.
Why now November scores 64/100 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 1.7 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Des Moines Art Center
Free art museum in buildings by Saarinen, Pei and Meier.
Fong's Pizza
Des Moines cult pizzeria famous for the Crab Rangoon pizza and tiki-bar drinks, now in the old Peace Tree space.
Nearby in November
- Omaha in November~122 mi · highs 48°F, 1.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Decorah in November~151 mi · highs 43°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Dubuque in November~164 mi · highs 46°F, 2.1 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in November~179 mi · highs 54°F, 1.9 in rain · 3°C (5°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 November: quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Des Moines?
It's middling, scoring 64/100. The best months are September & October, at up to 90. Expect highs of 49°F (9°C) and 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain. Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so November is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Des Moines in November?
Average highs are 49°F (9°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Des Moines in November?
Not much: about 1.7 in (42 mm) of rain falls across November on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.8 in (883 mm).
What should I pack for Des Moines in November?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Des Moines
Planning Des Moines in November?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.