Day one of the Iowa State Fair was met with showers and thunderstorms for most of the morning, and the first weekend could be just as wet.
It is not uncommon for it to rain at least once during the 11-day Iowa State Fair. The early morning downpour resulted in a delayed event and even a cancellation of the antique tractor pulls, but nothing stops the Iowa State Fair. Around noon, everything was back on schedule.
How much rain did Des Moines get?
The Des Moines International Airport reported 1.21 inches of rainfall on Thursday, Aug. 7. Going north, Ankeny reported just over half an inch of rainfall, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. The bulk of the rain was in south central Iowa.
What are the rainfall totals for Iowa?
Rainfall across Iowa for Aug. 7, 2025.
Here are the highest rainfall totals across Iowa for Thursday, Aug. 7, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.
What is the forecast for the first weekend of the Iowa State Fair?
In classic Midwest fashion, heat and rain is in the forecast for the first weekend of the Iowa State Fair. Des Moines, along with much of Iowa, is under a heat advisory from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8. The heat index could bring temperatures to 105. Saturday morning has a 20% chance of showers after 1 a.m.
More: It’ll be very hot at the Iowa State Fair on Friday. Here’s how to stay cool:
There is a 30% chance of showers after 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, with a high of 89 degrees. New rainfall could amount to between a tenth and quarter of an inch, according to the National Weather Service. The evening will also be rainy with a 70% chance of rain that will carry into Sunday, Aug. 10.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How much rain did we get? Check out Des Moines rainfall totals
