KDSM METAR

Current observed weather at Des Moines International (DSM · KDSM), Des Moines, IA, elevation 958 ft. Reported 21 Sep 2026 0454Z, decoded below with the past 24 hours of observations. · Open on the map

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METAR observed 21 Sep 2026 0454Z

MVFR

METAR KDSM 210454Z 08010KT 10SM FEW008 OVC013 16/14 A3008 RMK AO2 DZE24 SLP181 P0000 T01610144

Wind

080° at 10 kt

Visibility

10+ SM

Ceiling

1,300 ft OVC

Temp / Dewpoint

16° / 14°C

Altimeter

30.08"

Times are UTC (Zulu), as they appear in the report.

What it says

Field	Value	What that means
Flight category	MVFR	Marginal VFR — ceiling 1,000 to 3,000 ft and/or visibility 3 to 5 SM.
Wind	080° at 10 kt	Direction is degrees true, as reported.
Visibility	10+ SM	10 SM is the maximum an automated US station reports; it means 10 or greater.
Ceiling	1,300 ft OVC	Lowest OVC layer, 1,300 ft above the field.
Sky	Few at 800 ft AGL, Overcast at 1,300 ft AGL	—
Temperature	16°C (61°F)	—
Dewpoint	14°C (58°F)	—
Temp/dewpoint spread	2°C	A spread of 2°C or less favours fog or low stratus forming.
Altimeter	30.08 inHg	Set this in the Kollsman window; it is the field’s current sea level pressure setting.

VFRMVFRIFRLIFRhover for the full observation

Flight category

Wind · kt (gust shading)

Ceiling · ft (log scale, ▲ = unlimited)

Visibility · SM

All 24 stored observations time · category · wind · visibility · ceiling · temp

Time	Category	Wind	Visibility	Ceiling	Temp
0554Z	MVFR	360° at 7 kt	10+ SM	2,200 ft	18°C
0654Z	VFR	010° at 8 kt	10+ SM	11,000 ft	18°C
0754Z	IFR	340° at 5 kt	10+ SM	500 ft	17°C
0854Z	IFR	310° at 8 kt	10+ SM	700 ft	17°C
0954Z	IFR	330° at 6 kt	9 SM	500 ft	17°C
1054Z	IFR	290° at 6 kt	10+ SM	500 ft	17°C
1154Z	LIFR	000° at 0 kt	1.75 SM	300 ft	17°C
1257Z	LIFR	000° at 0 kt	1.5 SM	200 ft	18°C
1354Z	LIFR	010° at 4 kt	1.5 SM	300 ft	18°C
1454Z	IFR	030° at 8 kt	6 SM	500 ft	19°C
1554Z	IFR	040° at 7 kt	10+ SM	500 ft	19°C
1654Z	IFR	060° at 13-21 kt	1.5 SM	1,300 ft	19°C
1754Z	IFR	080° at 12 kt	6 SM	900 ft	20°C
1854Z	IFR	070° at 12 kt	10+ SM	900 ft	19°C
1954Z	IFR	070° at 12 kt	10+ SM	900 ft	19°C
2054Z	MVFR	060° at 13 kt	10+ SM	1,200 ft	19°C
2154Z	MVFR	050° at 10 kt	10+ SM	1,200 ft	18°C
2254Z	MVFR	060° at 12 kt	10+ SM	1,100 ft	18°C
2354Z	MVFR	070° at 12 kt	10+ SM	1,000 ft	17°C
0054Z	IFR	070° at 10-16 kt	10+ SM	900 ft	17°C
0154Z	MVFR	060° at 10 kt	10+ SM	1,400 ft	17°C
0254Z	IFR	080° at 13-22 kt	10+ SM	900 ft	17°C
0354Z	IFR	070° at 12 kt	4 SM	800 ft	16°C
0454Z	MVFR	080° at 10 kt	10+ SM	1,300 ft	16°C

Frequently asked

What is the current METAR at KDSM?

The 21 Sep 2026 0454Z observation at Des Moines International reads: METAR KDSM 210454Z 08010KT 10SM FEW008 OVC013 16/14 A3008 RMK AO2 DZE24 SLP181 P0000 T01610144

Is KDSM VFR right now?

Des Moines International is reporting MVFR. Marginal VFR — ceiling 1,000 to 3,000 ft and/or visibility 3 to 5 SM.

How often is the KDSM METAR updated?

Routine observations are issued hourly, usually in the 5 minutes before the hour. A SPECI is issued between them whenever conditions change significantly — a ceiling or visibility crossing a category threshold, a wind shift, or the onset of precipitation or a thunderstorm.

More about KDSM

Observations from the US National Weather Service Aviation Weather Center. Times are UTC (Zulu). For planning and education only — always confirm with an official preflight briefing.

Something here wrong or out of date? Report a data problem.