White Christmas · Des Moines
Will it be a white Christmas in Des Moines?
In Des Moines, there’s an inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas Day in about 39% of years, and snow falls that day in about 19% of years. That’s from NOAA’s records for 1991 to 2020.
A white one turns up some years, and never the year anyone bets on it.
36 of the 111 US cities with a NOAA figure have a better chance of a white Christmas.
Last updated
Christmas Day, typically
- 1 in on the ground
- 39%
- Snow falls
- 19%
- Usual high
- 33°F
- Usual low
- 17°F
A typical Christmas Day in Des Moines runs from about 17°F to 33°F.
Christmas 2026 is a Friday, and these NOAA figures are for December 25 itself.
The real Christmas Day forecast for Des Moines comes into range from Dec 20.
Cities with about the same odds
- Cleveland: an inch on the ground in 40% of years
- Rapid City: an inch on the ground in 38% of years
- Great Falls: an inch on the ground in 41% of years
More about the weather here
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020, for each city’s official station on Dec 25. NOAA counts a white Christmas as an inch or more of snow on the ground, and snow falling means at least a tenth of an inch that day. Station USW00014933.