Iowa 7-Day Forecast: 97°F Monday Peak, Highs 92°F–95°F Through July 30

What changed

Today (Thursday, July 24) is relatively mild at 78°F, dropping to 67°F tonight. Starting Saturday the heat ramps up fast:

| Day | High | Night Low | |---|---|---| | Today (Thu 7/24) | 78°F | 67°F | | Saturday 7/25 | 92°F | 73°F | | Sunday 7/26 | 95°F | 77°F | | Monday 7/27 | 97°F | 73°F | | Tuesday 7/28 | 93°F | 70°F | | Wednesday 7/29 | 92°F | 71°F | | Thursday 7/30 | 92°F | 71°F |

That's six straight days at 92°F or higher, with the peak Monday at 97°F. Sunday night's low of 77°F is the warmest overnight reading in the forecast — meaning crops get less overnight cooling heading into the hottest day.

Why it matters

Late July is when a lot of Iowa corn is pollinating or moving into early grain-fill, and soybeans are setting pods. Sustained highs above 90°F — especially combined with overnight lows that stay in the 70s — can stress both crops. The Monday 97°F peak and Sunday night's 77°F low are the numbers to circle. How much this heat actually affects yields depends on soil moisture, hybrid tolerance, and whether any rain shows up, so local conditions matter a lot.

What to watch next

• Updated forecasts later this week. NWS forecasts shift, especially 5–7 days out. Check whether Monday's 97°F holds or moves higher.
• Overnight lows. If those creep above the current 70–77°F range, heat stress compounds. The Sunday-night 77°F low is already on the warm side.
• Rainfall chances. This forecast covers temperatures only. Any rain (or lack of it) alongside this heat could change the picture significantly.
• Extended outlook beyond July 30. Whether the 90s continue into early August or break could matter for later-pollinating fields.

Source notes

All temperatures from the U.S. National Weather Service API forecast for central Iowa (Des Moines/DMX grid point 73,49). Forecast retrieved July 24, 2026. Forecasts are subject to revision.