Is Des Moines sunnier than Lincoln?

Lincoln is the sunnier: about 2,608 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,394 — a difference of 214 hours.

Which is warmer, Des Moines or Lincoln?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Des Moines averages 16°C (61°F), Lincoln 17°C (63°F).

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

They are close in the November–February window: Des Moines averages 2/100 (about 3°C days), Lincoln 4/100 (about 4°C).

Des Moines vs Lincoln: which is sunnier?

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 271 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Lincoln is the sunnier overall: about 2,608 hours of sunshine a year to Des Moines's 2,394. Lincoln has the higher Sunshine Score in 8 of 12 months; the other 4 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	Lincoln
Sunshine hours / year	2,394	2,608
Sunniest month	September (77/100)	July (81/100)
Nov–Feb average score	2/100	4/100
Jun–Aug average score	73/100	77/100
Rain / year	883 mm	751 mm
Peak midday UV	8 (very high)	8 (very high)

Des Moines vs Lincoln month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm
Month	Des Moines	Lincoln	Des Moines	Lincoln	Des Moines	Lincoln
January	0	0	-1°	1°	23	17
February	0	0	1°	3°	29	22
March	7	22	9°	11°	48	38
April	57	68	17°	18°	91	72
May	71	71	22°	24°	120	126
June	69	73	28°	29°	130	116
July	76	81	31°	32°	94	73
August	73	76	29°	31°	110	97
September	77	81	25°	27°	87	74
October	60	70	17°	18°	71	59
November	7	15	9°	10°	42	27
December	0	0	1°	2°	38	30

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

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Des Moines averages 2/100, Lincoln 4/100. Daytime highs are similar (3°C vs 4°C). See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: Lincoln (average score 54/100 vs 45). Lincoln is the warmer, around 18°C daytime highs vs 16°C.
June–August: Lincoln (average score 77/100 vs 73). Lincoln is the warmer, around 31°C daytime highs vs 29°C.
September–October: Lincoln (average score 76/100 vs 69). Lincoln is the warmer, around 23°C daytime highs vs 21°C.

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

More comparisons: Des Moines vs Omaha · Des Moines vs Cedar Rapids · Des Moines vs Moline · Lincoln vs Kansas City · Lincoln vs Omaha · Lincoln vs Sioux Falls · all head-to-heads