Average weather for Des Moines in May
It's pleasantly warm in May in Des Moines with an average temperature of 20°C. Temperatures this month range from a low of 17°C to a high of 22°C. At night, you can expect temperatures between 9°C and 12°C.
Start of May
The month of May starts in Des Moines with mild temps, averaging around 19°C during the day and nights around 10°C. A few showers might pop up early in the month, but overall, it’ll stay mostly sunny and dry.
Mid May
By mid-May, daytime temps rise to around 21°C, with nights around 12°C. There’s a chance of some showers during this time, but plenty of dry and sunny days too.
End of May
By the end of May, the average daytime temperature in Des Moines is around 21°C, while nighttime temps are about 12°C. There’s hardly any chance of precipitation. The weather will be mostly dry with plenty of sun.
In May, there is an average of 38 mm of precipitation, spread over 7 days. The wind speed is around 3 Bft, mostly coming from the Southwest.
Des Moines in May |
New York | ||
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20°C | 22°C | |
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22°C | 28°C | |
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17°C | -5°C | |
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38 mm | 105 mm | |
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7 days | 14 days |
UV index
The UV index is a maximum of 9 this month. That's a very high value on the intensity scale of 1 to 11. Unprotected skin can burn within 10-15 minutes.
Is May a good time to visit Des Moines?
Looking for great weather? May is a good time to be in Des Moines. The temperatures are nice, and there’s not too much rain.
Temperature records
With 32°C in 2023, Des Moines reached the highest temperature in May over the past 10 years. The lowest daytime temperature in this month was 10°C in 2017. The extreme nighttime temperatures ranged from a lowest recorded value of 4°C to a highest value of 18°C.
Check out the climate of Des Moines for all months and discover the best travel time
Daily Temperature in May in Des Moines
This chart shows the average daily high and low temperatures in May for Des Moines, in degrees Celsius. The red line represents the highs, and the blue line shows the lows. The days of the month are displayed at the bottom of the chart. The data, based on historical observations, provide the average temperatures for this month.
Daily Precipitation in May in Des Moines
The chart below shows the average daily precipitation in May for Des Moines, measured in millimeters over the past few years. Precipitation is always measured as water, even if it’s snow or hail. The days of the month are listed at the bottom of the chart.
A low average precipitation means that the chance of rain on that day is usually small, while a higher average suggests that it rained more often. But remember, it’s just an average, and every day can be different. Based on historical weather data for May, you can expect about 7 days of precipitation in Des Moines.
Daily UV index in May in Des Moines
This chart shows the average daily UV index in May in Des Moines, with the UV index ranging from 0 to a maximum of 11. The bottom of the chart shows the days of the month. Based on historical data, this chart provides an idea of the daily UV radiation levels you can expect.
Temperature in May in Des Moines over the years
This chart shows the average temperature in May in Des Moines, measured in degrees Celsius, over the past few years.
Total precipitation in May in Des Moines over the years
This chart shows the average precipitation in May in Des Moines, measured in millimeters over the past years. Precipitation is always measured as water, whether it’s snow or hail.
Daily weather in May for Des Moines
Click on any day in May to get detailed info about the usual weather on that day in Des Moines. Check out the historical temperatures and precipitation over the past 10 years on this day.
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Weather experiences in May in Des Moines
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Average weather in Des Moines by month
Click on a month below to see detailed weather info for Des Moines. Based on historical weather data, you can see the average temperature, precipitation, wind, and UV index for each day of the month.
Or check out the climate of Des Moines for all months at once