Des Moines Breaks Another March Heat Record

The metro's third record high this month as temperatures surge into the 80s.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of ochre, sienna, and hazy blue, depicting the city of Des Moines shrouded in a shimmering heat haze, with the state capitol building barely visible in the distance.An early-season heat wave envelops the city of Des Moines, part of a broader pattern of record-breaking warmth driven by climate change.Des Moines Today

Des Moines reached a scorching 87 degrees on Monday, breaking the previous March 30 record of 83 degrees set in 1968. This marks the metro's sixth record high so far in 2026 and the third this month, continuing a trend of record-breaking warmth in recent years.

Why it matters

The abnormally high March temperatures in Des Moines are part of a broader pattern of climate change, with the city setting far more daily record highs than lows in recent years. This early-season heat wave highlights the growing challenges posed by global warming, especially for agriculture and infrastructure not designed for such extreme conditions.

The details

Des Moines' temperature soared to 87 degrees on Monday afternoon, shattering the previous March 30 record of 83 degrees set in 1968. Highs in the mid-80s are typically more common in July than late March. This is the metro's sixth record high so far in 2026 and the third this month alone, continuing a troubling trend of record-breaking warmth.

  • Des Moines reached 87 degrees on Monday, March 30, 2026.
  • The previous March 30 record was 83 degrees, set in 1968.

The players

Des Moines

The capital and largest city in the state of Iowa, known for its Midwestern climate.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The relentless string of record-breaking heat in Des Moines is a troubling sign of the impacts of climate change, with the city setting far more daily high temperature records than lows in recent years. This early-season heat wave highlights the growing challenges posed by global warming, especially for infrastructure and agriculture not designed for such extreme conditions.