Monday afternoon brought a taste of spring to Iowa as temperatures soared into the 70s, setting a new record high in Des Moines. The afternoon temperatures topped out at 75 degrees which broke the old record of 72 degrees met most recently in 2021.The old record for today had actually been tied three times, the first time in 1986, then again in 1990, and finally in 2021.While temperatures in the 70s are not terribly unusual in March, it is well above our average high for this time of year which is closer to 46 degrees. Average highs don’t reach the 70s until mid-May for central Iowa. That said, record highs are at least in the 70s every day this month, and the warmest March temperature ever climbed all the way to 91 degree on March 29th, 1986.This is the fourth record high tied or broken so far in 2026, and the 15th daily record high set since October 2022. There have been no record low set in the timeframe.
Monday afternoon brought a taste of spring to Iowa as temperatures soared into the 70s, setting a new record high in Des Moines.
The afternoon temperatures topped out at 75 degrees which broke the old record of 72 degrees met most recently in 2021.
The old record for today had actually been tied three times, the first time in 1986, then again in 1990, and finally in 2021.
While temperatures in the 70s are not terribly unusual in March, it is well above our average high for this time of year which is closer to 46 degrees. Average highs don’t reach the 70s until mid-May for central Iowa. That said, record highs are at least in the 70s every day this month, and the warmest March temperature ever climbed all the way to 91 degree on March 29th, 1986.
This is the fourth record high tied or broken so far in 2026, and the 15th daily record high set since October 2022. There have been no record low set in the timeframe.
