Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) Aviation Weather, METAR, TAF & ATIS Alerts
Live aviation weather for Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, IA, including METAR, TAF, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter, runway crosswinds, and Telegram airport alerts.
Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) is one of the primary air-carrier airports serving Des Moines, IA at 958 ft. KDSM reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF — decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. Its 4 runways (05, 13, 23, 31) — longest 9,004 ft — are checked against the current wind in the crosswind table below. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page. Track KDSM in the ATIS Alerts Telegram bot to get a message when a new METAR changes the picture — flight category, wind, or ceiling past your selected minimums.
Wind from the east (080°) at 5 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, a few clouds at 16,000 ft, temperature 25°C (77°F), altimeter 29.94 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
METAR KDSM 290554Z 08005KT 10SM FEW160 25/22 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP129 T02500222 10283 20250 403110250 51004
What changed at KDSM?
Since the 0454Z (11:54 PM CDT) report — compared automatically against the latest METAR.
- The 16,000 ft ceiling dissipated — no ceiling now.
This is exactly what ATIS Alerts watches for you — get a Telegram message when KDSM's weather changes, free →
Current pilot readout for KDSM
KDSM is currently VFR with winds from 080° at 5 knots, visibility 10+ statute miles, and no ceiling reported. The strongest crosswind component is currently on runway 13, about 4 knots. Density altitude is approximately 2,350 ft (field elevation 958 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.
⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →
Get KDSM weather alerts in Telegram
Stop refreshing aviation weather manually. Track KDSM in ATIS Alerts and get notified when a new METAR changes the picture — a category drop, or wind and ceiling moving toward your minimums.
Track KDSM free on TelegramRunway wind check
Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.
Use this section to quickly compare current wind alignment across available runways at KDSM. This is intended as a planning aid only and should not replace official performance calculations or pilot judgment.
| Runway | Length | Surface | Head / Tail | Crosswind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05FAV | 9,004 ft | ASP | 4 kt head | 2 kt right |
| 13 | 9,001 ft | ASP | 3 kt head | 4 kt left |
| 31 | 9,001 ft | ASP | 3 kt tail | 4 kt right |
| 23 | 9,004 ft | ASP | 4 kt tail | 2 kt left |
Open the crosswind calculator — try your own wind and runway numbers →
24-hour trend
Wind, ceiling and flight category over the last 24 hours.
Over the last 23 h: wind 7→5 kt, ceiling 24,000 ft → unlimited.
KDSM weather radar
Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast — drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.
Live weather radar around Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, IA: the NOAA/NWS NEXRAD composite updates about every five minutes, with NOAA lightning strike density overlaid. The loop plays the past 50 minutes, then continues into a future-radar forecast (+1 to +4 hours, NOAA HRRR model) so you can see where precipitation around KDSM is headed.
Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Forecast frames (amber label) are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Lightning strike density appears as a blue-white glow when strikes are detected in view. Radar and lightning coverage are limited in parts of Alaska, Hawaii, and offshore areas. Not for navigation.
Recent aviation weather trends at KDSM
From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.
Over the past 24 hours, KDSM reported mostly VFR across 24 observations, with 0 flight-category changes. The lowest ceiling was 15,000 ft. Wind most often came from the E.
Most recent change: MVFR → VFR
- 13
- 40%
- 23
- 29%
- 05
- 21%
- 31
- 10%
TAF — Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Issued 0537Z (12:37 AM CDT)
TAF KDSM 290537Z 2906/3006 09004KT P6SM BKN160 BKN200 FM291100 11004KT 6SM BR SCT200 FM291600 17007KT P6SM SCT035
New to TAFs? How to read one →
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Airport facts
Reference data from the OurAirports dataset.
- Type
- Large airport
- ICAO
- KDSM
- IATA
- DSM
- FAA LID
- DSM
- City
- Des Moines
- State
- Iowa
- Country
- United States
- Elevation
- 958 ft
- Coordinates
- 41.5340, -93.6567
- Runways
- 4
- Longest runway
- 9,004 ft
- Weather reporting
- Reports METAR
- TAF
- Published
- ATIS
- 119.55 MHz
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Next sunset
- 18h 53m
Run a flight school, FBO, or club here? Embed KDSM's live status on your website — free →
Nearby airports
Compare nearby METAR/TAF stations within 25, 50 and 100 NM before departure or arrival.
Within 25 NM
8 airports+2 more within 25 NM
25–50 NM
8 airports+2 more within 50 NM
50–100 NM
8 airports+2 more within 100 NM
RC flying fields nearby
AMA model-aircraft club fields around this airport — live wind, crosswind & flyability on each page.
- Des Moines Heli Flyers - 40th St — Des Moines, IA · 6 mi
- Knapp Learning Center @ the Iowa State Fairgrounds — Des Moines, IA · 7 mi
- Indianola Model Aircraft Club - 150th Ave — Indianola, IA · 14 mi
Historical Flying Weather
2006–2025 · ATIS Alerts Flying Weather Index
Based on historical observations from 2006–2025, KDSM reported VFR conditions during about 80.3% of valid daylight observations, with an estimated 270 VFR flying days a year. July had the most VFR weather; December had the most instrument conditions. Surface winds averaged 8.3 kt, calm 5.9% of the time.
Full historical breakdown
Flight category by month
| Month | VFR % | MVFR % | IFR % | LIFR % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 65.3 | 18.5 | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Feb | 74.3 | 14.0 | 7.2 | 4.5 |
| Mar | 73.1 | 15.5 | 6.9 | 4.5 |
| Apr | 79.1 | 12.3 | 6.0 | 2.7 |
| May | 82.0 | 10.9 | 5.2 | 2.0 |
| Jun | 90.9 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| Jul | 93.1 | 4.8 | 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Aug | 91.0 | 5.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Sep | 89.3 | 6.4 | 2.6 | 1.7 |
| Oct | 83.3 | 11.0 | 3.7 | 2.1 |
| Nov | 78.0 | 13.8 | 5.1 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 62.8 | 19.5 | 10.1 | 7.6 |
Average wind by month
| Month | Mean wind (kt) |
|---|---|
| Jan | 9.1 kt |
| Feb | 9.0 kt |
| Mar | 9.5 kt |
| Apr | 10.0 kt |
| May | 8.4 kt |
| Jun | 7.6 kt |
| Jul | 6.7 kt |
| Aug | 6.6 kt |
| Sep | 7.2 kt |
| Oct | 8.3 kt |
| Nov | 9.0 kt |
| Dec | 8.8 kt |
Historical summary of past observations — not a forecast or safety rating. Always check the current METAR, TAF, and a weather briefing before flight.
KDSM airport diagram
Official FAA taxiway and runway layout. Tap to zoom.
The FAA airport diagram for Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, IA shows the runway and taxiway layout across 4 runways, ramp areas, and hold-short positions — review it before taxiing at an unfamiliar field.
Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2608 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗
KDSM weather — frequently asked
What runways are available at KDSM?+
KDSM has 4 runways — 05, 13, 23, 31; the longest is 9,004 ft. This page computes the live crosswind for each runway end from the current wind.
Does KDSM report its own weather?+
Yes — Des Moines International Airport has its own weather station and publishes METAR observations, which this page decodes live.
Does KDSM have a TAF?+
Yes — the TAF is shown on this page below the current conditions.
Does KDSM broadcast D-ATIS?+
No — KDSM does not broadcast D-ATIS. Alerts for KDSM from the ATIS Alerts bot (@atisalerts_bot) are based on its METAR instead.
Where can I find the KDSM airport diagram?+
The official FAA airport diagram for Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) is shown on this page — it maps the runway and taxiway layout, ramps, and hold-short lines. Tap it to zoom, or download the official FAA PDF free from the link under the diagram (updated every 28-day FAA charting cycle).
Pilot PIREPs for Des Moines International Airport (KDSM)
Community-submittedCommunity-submitted airport notes from pilots about runway conditions, wildlife, FBOs, fuel, turbulence, ramp access, and local tips.
Read recent community-submitted pilot notes for Des Moines International Airport, including runway conditions, wildlife activity, FBO/fuel notes, turbulence, ramp access, and local airport tips.
⚠️ Pilot PIREPs on ATIS Alerts are community-submitted airport notes for situational awareness only. They are not official FAA PIREPs, NOTAMs, weather briefings, airport advisories, or flight-planning guidance. Always verify with official FAA/NWS sources, airport management, ATC, and current publications.
No Pilot PIREPs have been submitted for KDSM yet. Recently flew here? Help the next pilot by leaving a quick airport note.
Pilot PIREPs are community pilot notes for situational awareness only — not official FAA PIREPs or advisories. Verify with official sources. Notes are moderated before they appear; helpful marks and reports help us keep them useful.
Why pilots use ATIS Alerts
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- Get pinged the moment KDSM drops below VFR or a new report moves your numbers.
- Live METAR, TAF, crosswinds, and FAA delays — one link, always current.
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⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.
No D-ATIS at this airport — showing METAR.
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