Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) Aviation Weather: METAR, TAF & ATIS

As of 9:17 PM CDT, Oct 28, KDSM is currently VFR with winds from 180° at 13 knots gusting 22, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 6,000 ft ceiling. The FAA lists no ground stop or delay program for KDSM right now.

Live aviation weather for Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, IA, including METAR, TAF, ATIS, flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, altimeter and runway crosswinds.

Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) is one of the primary air-carrier airports serving Des Moines, IA at a field elevation of 958 ft. KDSM reports its own METAR and publishes a TAF, decoded live on this page as flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling and altimeter. It has 2 physical runways (05/23, 13/31), the longest 9,004 ft. The official FAA airport diagram is at the bottom of the page.

Ask ATIS AIAsk anything about KDSM's weather, runways or delays, or search another airport.

VFR

Observed 0217Z (9:17 PM CDT)live · refreshes every 60s

Wind

180° 13 kt

gusting 22 kt

Visibility

10+ sm

Ceiling

6,000 ft

Altimeter

29.96"

Temp / Dew

72°F / 22°C

dew 55°F / 13°C

Wind from the south (180°) at 13 kt, gusting 22 kt, visibility 10+ statute miles, broken clouds at 6,000 ft, broken clouds at 8,000 ft, overcast at 25,000 ft, temperature 22°C (72°F), altimeter 29.96 inHg. Conditions are Visual Flight Rules (VFR), ceiling 6,000 ft.

Raw METAR

SPECI KDSM 290217Z 18013G22KT 10SM TS BKN060CB BKN080 OVC250 22/13 A2996 RMK AO2 TSB16 OCNL LTGICCC VC NW AND OCNL LTGICCCCG DSNT NE AND SW TS VC NW AND CB DSNT NE AND SW MOV NE T02220128

Current pilot readout for KDSM

KDSM is currently VFR with winds from 180° at 13 knots gusting 22, visibility 10+ statute miles, and a 6,000 ft ceiling. the wind favors south-facing runway ends (13, 23). Density altitude is approximately 2,000 ft (field elevation 958 ft). Review the latest TAF below for forecast changes before departure.

KDSM by the numbers

What the long-run records say about flying here, computed for this airport alone.

FAA ground stops or delay programs, last 12 months

The FAA issued no ground stop or ground delay program for DSM in the 12 months to October 2026. Delays here come from the airlines or from programs at other airports rather than from DSM's own airspace.

DSM delay status →

80%

of daylight hours VFR, 2006 to 2025

KDSM reported VFR in 80% of daylight observations over 20 years, about 270 flyable days a year. July is the most reliable month and December the least, with IFR or worse 18% of the time. When conditions drop it is usually a mix of low ceilings (under 1,000 ft 6% of hours) and low visibility (under 3 miles 4%).

32%

of windy hours favor runway 13

Over 20 years of hourly winds, runway 13 had the best headwind 32% of the time, runway 31 30%, and winds were calm 7% of hours. Winds most often blow from the south. Crosswind on the best available runway topped 15 kt in under 1% of hours.

snow days a year

Snow fell on about 53 days a year and freezing rain or drizzle on 10. From December to February KDSM was IFR or worse 15% of the time, against 3% from June to August.

81%

of departures on time, June 2025 to May 2026

DSM departures left within 15 minutes of schedule 81% of the time across 15,511 flights, June 2025 to May 2026. Before 9 AM departures did best (89%) and 6 to 9 PM did worst (70%).

DSM delays by hour and weekday →

thunderstorm days a year

Thunderstorms were reported on about 51 days a year. 53% of storm hours fall in May, June and August, peaking in June when storms were in the air 3% of the time.

Sources: FAA ATCSCC advisories, hourly observations 2006 to 2025, the per-runway wind climatology 2006 to 2025 and BTS airline on-time data. Historical summaries, not a forecast: check the current METAR, TAF and a briefing before flight.

New to aviation weather? How to read a METAR → · What VFR/MVFR/IFR mean → · Decode any METAR/TAF → · Density altitude calculator →

Runway wind check

Estimated head/tailwind and crosswind for each runway end from the current reported wind.

Runway	Length	Surface	Head / Tail	Crosswind
13FAV	9,001 ft	ASP	9 kt head	10 kt right (g16)
23	9,004 ft	ASP	8 kt head	11 kt left (g18)
05	9,004 ft	ASP	8 kt tail	11 kt right (g18)
31	9,001 ft	ASP	9 kt tail	10 kt left (g16)

Open the crosswind calculator to try your own wind and runway numbers →

KDSM runways

2 physical runways · 4 runway ends. Each card opens the runway's intelligence page: equipment and lighting, LAHSO, frequencies, today's configuration, predicted use, history and approaches.

Runway 05/23
9,004 × 150 ft · ASP
Restricted (NOTAM)
Current use
no stated-runway source at KDSM
Wind
05
8 kt tailwind · 11 kt crosswind from right
23
8 kt headwind · 11 kt crosswind from left
2 active equipment NOTAMsView Runway Intelligence →
Runway 13/31
9,001 × 150 ft · ASP
Status not monitored
Current use
no stated-runway source at KDSM
Wind
13
9 kt headwind · 10 kt crosswind from right
31
9 kt tailwind · 10 kt crosswind from left
no active equipment NOTAM receivedView Runway Intelligence →

“Current use” is what the facilitystates; wind components are arithmetic on the current METAR against TRUE headings; status reflects NOTAMs received through SWIM, the tower's TFDM record and the D-ATIS — a runway reads “Open” only with a complete NOTAM picture.

KDSM weather radar

Live NEXRAD + lightning, with a 4-hour future-radar forecast. Drag to pan, tap ⚡ to toggle lightning.

Loading…

Loading radar…

Radar: NOAA/NWS via IEM · Forecast: NOAA HRRR · Lightning: NOAA · Map © Stadia Maps © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap

NOAA NEXRAD composite and lightning, updated about every five minutes; amber frames are HRRR model guidance, not observed radar. Not for navigation.

Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KDSM

Reported by pilots in flight over the past 6 hours, via aviationweather.gov.

PIREP0151Z (8:51 PM CDT) · 27 NM E of KDSM · 14,000 ft MSL · E75L

Show raw report

DSM UA /OV DSM090025/TM 0151/FL140/TP E75L/TB NEG BLO FL230/IC NEG BLO FL230

DSM UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV DSM090025Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 0151Reported at 01:51 UTC.

FL140Altitude: 14,000 ft MSL.

TP E75LAircraft type reporting.

TB NEG BLO FL230Turbulence: none reported blo fl230.

IC NEG BLO FL230Icing: none reported blo fl230.

PIREP0146Z (8:46 PM CDT) · 32 NM SW of KDSM · 20,000 ft MSL · E75L

continuous light occasional moderate turbulence

Show raw report

DSM UA /OV DSM240030/TM 0146/FL200/TP E75L/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD

DSM UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV DSM240030Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 0146Reported at 01:46 UTC.

FL200Altitude: 20,000 ft MSL.

TP E75LAircraft type reporting.

TB CONS LGT OCNL MODTurbulence: continuous light occasional moderate.

PIREP0130Z (8:30 PM CDT) · 43 NM W of KDSM · 38,000 ft MSL · UAL2046

Show raw report

ARP UAL2046 4120N 09434W 0130 F380 TB SMTH IC

ARP UAL2046 4120N 09434W 013…Header: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

PIREP0113Z (8:13 PM CDT) · 90 NM E of KDSM · 38,000 ft MSL · B739

Show raw report

IOW UA /OV IOW190010/TM 0113/FL380/TP B739/TB NEG

IOW UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV IOW190010Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 0113Reported at 01:13 UTC.

FL380Altitude: 38,000 ft MSL.

TP B739Aircraft type reporting.

TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.

PIREP2333Z (6:33 PM CDT) · 68 NM W of KDSM · 16,000 ft MSL · E170

occasional light chop turbulence

Show raw report

OMA UA /OV OVR040035/TM 2333/FL160/TP E170/TA UNKN/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/IC NEG/RM VMC THROUGH GAP NEAR LANTK

OMA UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV OVR040035Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2333Reported at 23:33 UTC.

FL160Altitude: 16,000 ft MSL.

TP E170Aircraft type reporting.

TA UNKNOutside air temperature, °C.

TB OCNL LGT CHOPTurbulence: occasional light chop.

IC NEGIcing: none reported.

RM VMC THROUGH GAP NEAR LANT…Remarks.

PIREP2328Z (6:28 PM CDT) · 95 NM N of KDSM · during descent · CRJ2

Show raw report

MCW UA /OV MCW/TM 2328/FL060/TP CRJ2/SK UNKN040-TOPUNKN/WX -RA/RM DURD

MCW UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV MCWLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2328Reported at 23:28 UTC.

FL060Altitude: 6,000 ft MSL.

TP CRJ2Aircraft type reporting.

SK UNKN040-TOPUNKNSky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.

WX -RAWeather and flight visibility observed.

RM DURDRemarks.

PIREP2322Z (6:22 PM CDT) · 96 NM W of KDSM · 34,000 ft MSL · A320

Show raw report

OMA UA /OV OVR/TM 2322/FL340/TP A320/TB NEG

OMA UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV OVRLocation: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2322Reported at 23:22 UTC.

FL340Altitude: 34,000 ft MSL.

TP A320Aircraft type reporting.

TB NEGTurbulence: none reported.

PIREP2320Z (6:20 PM CDT) · 93 NM SW of KDSM · 9,000 ft MSL · BE36

Show raw report

STJ UA /OV STJ360020/TM 2320/FL090/TP BE36/SK TOP 120/RM ZKCFDC ZZ

STJ UAHeader: reporting station and UA: a routine pilot report.

OV STJ360020Location: fix or navaid, optionally with a radial and distance in NM.

TM 2320Reported at 23:20 UTC.

FL090Altitude: 9,000 ft MSL.

TP BE36Aircraft type reporting.

SK TOP 120Sky condition: cloud bases and tops in hundreds of feet MSL.

RM ZKCFDC ZZRemarks.

⚠️ PIREPs are unverified pilot reports. Not for operational use: conditions change between reports.

Recent aviation weather trends at KDSM

From ATIS Alerts' hourly weather history.

Last 24 hours

History is still being collected. Check back in a few days.

Last 7 days

VFR 100%

Wind avg/max: 7/21 kt

Max gust: 30 kt

Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft

Lowest vis: 10 sm

Prevailing wind: S

Category changes: 0

Wind-favored runway - past 30 days

Share of hours each runway had the most headwind. From wind reports, not ATC assignments.

13: 51%
23: 20%
31: 16%
05: 13%

TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

Issued 2338Z (6:38 PM CDT)

TAF KDSM 282338Z 2900/2924 18013G23KT P6SM SCT050 BKN100 PROB30 2900/2902 4SM -TSRA SCT025CB BKN040 FM290200 20009KT P6SM BKN050 TEMPO 2902/2904 5SM -TSRA OVC025CB FM290500 26005KT P6SM BKN050 FM290700 29005KT P6SM BKN030 FM290900 33008KT P6SM SCT035

New to TAFs? How to read one →

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.

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Live KDSM Weather

Live crosswind meter

Measured by KDSM's own weather station.

Headwind

9 kt

Crosswind (from the right)

10 kt

Headwind in gusts

15 kt

Crosswind in gusts

16 kt

Wind is 48° off runway 13, the end with the most headwind right now.

Asphalt · 9,001 ft. Headings from FAA runway data. Not for navigation.

Field aerial

North up

Aerial photo of Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) with runway 05/23, 13/31 marked

N ↑

Runway 05/23, 13/31 drawn from FAA threshold coordinates.

Imagery: USGS The National Map (public domain). Something off? ✏️ Suggest an edit

Airport info

From the FAA airport record (cycle 2026-10-01) and OurAirports.

Services

Fuel: 100LL · Jet A
Attended: 24 hours
Repairs: Airframe & engine, major
Oxygen: Bottled, high & low pressure · Bulk, high & low pressure
Transient parking: Tie-downs · Hangars
Landing fee: No
Other services: Air freight · Air ambulance · Avionics · Cargo handling · Charter · Aircraft sales · Annual surveying
Control tower: Yes
Wind indicator: Lighted

Airport

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: 2 physical runways · 4 runway ends
Longest runway: 9,004 ft
Weather reporting: Reports METAR
TAF: Published
ATIS: 119.55 MHz
Time zone: America/Chicago
Next sunset: 20h 28m

Is there a ground stop at DSM today? Delay status and history →

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.

VFRMVFRIFRLIFRNo report

Within 25 NM

8 airports

KIKVAnkeny Regional AirportAnkeny, IA10 nm NEVFR METAR 20IAHobbes FieldCumming, IA7 nm W Y76Morningstar FieldDes Moines, IA7 nm N IA85Tuinstra AirfieldIndianola, IA8 nm SE IA41Laverty FieldIndianola, IA8 nm SE US-7574Agrivation FieldIndianola, IA12 nm S

+2 more within 25 NM

25–50 NM

8 airports

KAMWAmes Municipal AirportAmes, IA28 nm NMVFR METAR KOXVKnoxville Municipal AirportKnoxville, IA28 nm SEVFR METAR KPROPerry Municipal AirportPerry, IA29 nm NWVFR METAR KTNUNewton Municipal AirportNewton, IA30 nm EVFR METAR KBNWBoone Municipal AirportBoone, IA32 nm NVFR METAR KPEAPella Municipal AirportPella, IA33 nm EVFR METAR

+2 more within 50 NM

50–100 NM

8 airports

KEBSWebster City Municipal AirportWebster City, IA55 nm NVFR METAR LWDLamoni Municipal AirportLamoni, IA55 nm SMETAR KOOAOskaloosa Municipal AirportCedar, IA56 nm EVFR METAR KADUAudubon County AirportAudubon, IA58 nm WVFR METAR KIFAIowa Falls Municipal AirportIowa Falls, IA59 nm NVFR METAR KCINArthur N Neu AirportCarroll, IA59 nm NWVFR METAR

+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

All RC flying fields →

See all Iowa airports →

Historical Flying Weather at KDSM

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.

VFR Score

Wind Score

Reliability Score

National VFR rank

#936 of 1,400

Regional rank

#114

State rank

#24

Full historical breakdown

Daylight VFR

80.3%

MVFR

11.6%

IFR

5.0%

LIFR

3.3%

Est. VFR days/yr

270

Most VFR month

July

Fewest VFR month

December

Median ceiling

7,500 ft

Median visibility

10 sm

Calm wind

5.9%

Median wind

8 kt

Gusty hours

15.5%

Crosswind >15 kt

0.2%

Fog/mist days/yr

122

Thunderstorm days/yr

Summer density alt

2,704 ft

Flight category by month

VFRMVFRIFRLIFR

KDSM monthly flight-category distribution, 2006–2025
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

KDSM average wind by month, 2006–2025
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

Central Plains flying weather Most VFR airports Windiest airports Flying Weather Index

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.

Official FAA airport diagram · d-TPP cycle 2611 · Not for navigation. Download the official FAA PDF ↗

Customize your DSM shirt or mug

DSM's real runway layout on the back, elevation and tower frequency on the front. Add your tail number on the sleeve.

Shop DSM merch

Pilot PIREPs for Des Moines International Airport (KDSM)

Community-submitted

Community-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.

⚠️ Not for operational use. Always verify with official FAA-approved preflight weather sources before flight.

No D-ATIS at this airport, showing METAR.

Spotted incorrect airport info? ✏️ Suggest an edit

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Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) Aviation Weather: METAR, TAF & ATIS

Current pilot readout for KDSM

KDSM by the numbers

Runway wind check

KDSM runways

KDSM weather radar

Pilot reports (PIREPs) within 100 NM of KDSM

Recent aviation weather trends at KDSM

TAF | Terminal Aerodrome Forecast

Get KDSM weather alerts in Telegram

Live crosswind meter

Field aerial

Airport info

Services

Airport

Nearby airports

Within 25 NM

25–50 NM

50–100 NM

RC flying fields nearby

Historical Flying Weather at KDSM

Flight category by month

Average wind by month

KDSM airport diagram

Customize your DSM shirt or mug

Pilot PIREPs for Des Moines International Airport (KDSM)