Des Moines Daily: Warm Spell, Road Closures, And Metro Crime Updates

Spring-like stretch before a colder, wintry turn

Central Iowa is enjoying another round of spring-like warmth, with highs in the 50s lingering briefly before a sharp cooldown. Forecasters say a cold front will slide through midweek, knocking temperatures back into the 30s and bringing a chance for light snow late in the week. Any accumulations around Des Moines are expected to stay on the lighter side, but wind chills will make it feel much colder heading into the weekend.

Overnight I-35 closures north of the metro

Drivers heading north out of Des Moines are being urged to plan ahead for overnight closures on Interstate 35 between NE 126th Avenue near Elkhart and Iowa Highway 210 near Huxley. The Iowa DOT is closing stretches of the interstate on consecutive nights so crews can set bridge beams at 158th Avenue as part of a larger reconstruction and widening project.

Northbound lanes are scheduled to close first, followed by a southbound shutdown. Traffic will be routed onto a marked detour using Iowa 210, U.S. 69, and NE 126th Avenue. Officials recommend checking the 511 system before traveling, as timing could shift with weather or construction progress.

Long-term I-35 improvements continue

The overnight work ties into a long-running effort to rebuild and expand I-35 between Ankeny and Huxley. The multi-year project is adding new bridges and widening the interstate to six lanes to handle growing traffic in the Des Moines metro corridor. The DOT says work will continue through 2026, with new northbound lanes planned across the entire project segment.

West Des Moines shooting under investigation

Across the river in West Des Moines, police are investigating an afternoon shooting that sent one person to the hospital. Officers were called to the 100 block of 12th Street after reports of gunfire. They found a victim with a leg wound who was conscious and taken for treatment.

Investigators maintained a strong presence in the neighborhood Monday while they collected evidence and worked to determine what led up to the incident. Authorities have not announced any arrests and have not released additional details about suspects or the victim’s condition.

What to watch today

Residents should stay weather-aware as the brief warm spell gives way to colder air and potential flakes by late week. Commuters using I-35 north of town may want to allow extra time or consider alternate routes during the overnight closures. Neighbors in West Des Moines can expect to see continued police activity as detectives follow up on the shooting investigation.