Des Moines International Airport (KDSM)
Des Moines, United States · North America
By Renzo, CPL
ICAO
KDSM
IATA
DSM
City
Des Moines
Country
United States
Region
North America
Elevation
958 ft
Runways
3 runways
Coordinates
41.5340, -93.6631
Overview
Iowa capital airport with four-season weather variety good for building all-weather piloting skills.
Current Weather at KDSM
Pilots flying into or out of Des Moines International Airport should always check the latest METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report) before departure. A METAR is a standardized weather observation issued every hour (or more frequently as a SPECI when conditions change rapidly). It includes wind direction and speed, visibility, cloud layers, temperature, dewpoint, and altimeter setting -- everything you need for a safe go/no-go decision.
Live conditions
Current METAR
METAR KDSM 030854Z 00000KT 10SM FEW250 BKN300 18/10 A3025 RMK AO2 SLP239 T01780100 56001 $Wind 000° at 0 kt — likely active runway near heading 00
Current TAF
TAF KDSM 030520Z 0306/0406 12005KT P6SM SCT250 FM031300 15009KT P6SM FEW250 FM031600 17011G17KT P6SM FEW250 FM040000 17009KT P6SM FEW200Decode METAR for KDSM
Paste the KDSM METAR into our free decoder and get a plain-English breakdown instantly.
Check Weather Before Your Flight
A thorough weather briefing is essential for safe flight operations at Des Moines International Airport. Here are the key weather products every pilot should review:
- METARHourly surface observation for KDSM. Includes wind, visibility, ceiling, temp/dewpoint, and altimeter.
- TAFTerminal Aerodrome Forecast covering the next 24-30 hours. Look for expected wind shifts, visibility changes, and precipitation.
- NOTAMNotices to Air Missions for KDSM. Check for runway closures, taxiway restrictions, and navaid outages.
- PIREPPilot Reports from aircraft near Des Moines. Real-world turbulence, icing, and cloud top reports.
- SIG/AIRMETArea forecasts for significant weather, turbulence, and icing that may affect operations around Des Moines International Airport.
Learn to read sectional charts to plan your route visually, and use our crosswind calculator to check runway compatibility with current winds.
Pilot Resources at Des Moines International Airport
Radio Frequencies
Always verify current frequencies in the Chart Supplement (formerly A/FD) before flight. Common frequencies for airports like KDSM include ATIS/AWOS, Ground, Tower (if towered), Approach/Departure, and Clearance Delivery. Frequencies change -- never rely on outdated sources.
Flight Schools Nearby
Browse flight schools near Des Moines and compare training programs.
Private Pilot Guide
Everything you need to earn your PPL, from requirements to checkride prep.
METAR Decoder
Decode any METAR report into plain English. Free tool for student and experienced pilots.
Sectional Chart Guide
Learn to read VFR sectional charts for navigation around Des Moines.
Training Availability
Flight Training Available
Des Moines International Airport has flight schools and training programs operating on the field or nearby. Browse flight schools
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