Is Des Moines sunnier than Cedar Rapids?

Des Moines is the sunnier: about 2,394 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,315 — a difference of 79 hours.

Which is warmer, Des Moines or Cedar Rapids?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Des Moines averages 16°C (61°F), Cedar Rapids 15°C (59°F).

Which is better in winter (November–February), Des Moines or Cedar Rapids?

They are close in the November–February window: Des Moines averages 2/100 (about 3°C days), Cedar Rapids 0/100 (about 2°C).

Des Moines vs Cedar Rapids: which is sunnier?

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 166 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Des Moines is the sunnier overall: about 2,394 hours of sunshine a year to Cedar Rapids's 2,315. Des Moines has the higher Sunshine Score in 4 of 12 months; the other 8 are within 2 points.

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Des Moines	Cedar Rapids
Sunshine hours / year	2,394	2,315
Sunniest month	September (77/100)	September (76/100)
Nov–Feb average score	2/100	0/100
Jun–Aug average score	73/100	71/100
Rain / year	883 mm	924 mm
Peak midday UV	8 (very high)	8 (very high)

Des Moines vs Cedar Rapids month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm
Month	Des Moines	Cedar Rapids	Des Moines	Cedar Rapids	Des Moines	Cedar Rapids
January	0	0	-1°	-2°	23	28
February	0	0	1°	0°	29	33
March	7	0	9°	8°	48	51
April	57	50	17°	16°	91	93
May	71	73	22°	22°	120	107
June	69	67	28°	27°	130	141
July	76	74	31°	29°	94	102
August	73	73	29°	28°	110	106
September	77	76	25°	24°	87	89
October	60	52	17°	16°	71	77
November	7	0	9°	8°	42	50
December	0	0	1°	0°	38	47

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar Des Moines · Apr Des Moines · May even · Jun even · Jul even · Aug even · Sep even · Oct Des Moines · Nov Des Moines · Dec even.

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Des Moines averages 2/100, Cedar Rapids 0/100. Daytime highs are similar (3°C vs 2°C). See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: Des Moines (average score 45/100 vs 41). Daytime highs are similar (16°C vs 15°C).
June–August: too close to call — Des Moines averages 73/100, Cedar Rapids 71/100. Daytime highs are similar (29°C vs 28°C).
September–October: Des Moines (average score 69/100 vs 64). Daytime highs are similar (21°C vs 20°C).

Full month-by-month guides: Des Moines weather by month · Cedar Rapids weather by month · Best time to visit United States.

More comparisons: Des Moines vs Omaha · Des Moines vs Lincoln · Des Moines vs Moline · Cedar Rapids vs Peoria · Cedar Rapids vs Rochester · Cedar Rapids vs Moline · all head-to-heads