WFO Des Moines
Image of NWS Des Moines building

 

The NWS Warning and Forecast Office (WFO) Des Moines serves the central half of the state of Iowa, providing warnings, watches, and forecasts for the protection of life and property per our Mission Statement. 

We're located on the north edge of Johnston along the west side of Saylorville Lake, although in the past, we've been located right in Des Moines.  If you'd like more specific driving instructions, please call the number at the bottom of this page.

Correspondence to the office is best handled electronically.  Please email the Webmaster with your question or concern and we'll get right back to you.

Office Staff

  • Management and Support Staff

    • Brenda Brock - Meteorologist-in-Charge

    • Jeff Johnson - Warning Coordination Meteorologist

    • Karl Jungbluth - Science & Operations Officer

    • Jeff Zogg - Senior Service Hydrologist

    • Shane Searcy - Information Technology Officer

    • Rob DeRoy - Data Acquisition Program Officer

    • Gail Boeff - Administrative Support Assistant

    • Dave Reese - Electronic Systems Analyst

    • Electronics Technician (Vacant)

    • Darren Gregory - Electronics Technician

  • Meteorologists

    • Craig Cogil - Senior Forecaster

    • Rod Donavon - Senior Forecaster

    • Ben Moyer - Senior Forecaster

    • Senior Forecaster (in place but unlisted)

    • Mindy Albrecht - General Forecaster

    • Frank Boksa - General Forecaster

    • Rich Kinney - General Forecaster

    • Jim Lee - General Forecaster

    • Roger Vachalek - General Forecaster

  • Hydro-Meteorological Technicians (HMT) and Interns

    • Brad Fillbach - HMT

    • Steve Teachout - HMT

    • John Hinsberger - Meteorologist Intern

    • Ken Podrazik - Meteorologist Intern

History of the Des Moines NWS Office

  • February 9th, 1870

    • President Grant signed a bill creating the Weather Service as part of U.S. Army Signal Corps.

  • August 1st, 1878

    • The Des Moines office of the Weather Service was opened in the northwest room of a two story building known as the George D. Mc Caine Block which was located on the northeast corner of Sixth and Walnut streets.  At the time the Iowa State Director of Weather and Chief Meteorologist was Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs.

  • January 1st, 1887

    • The office was moved to the Clapp Block on the southwest corner of 5th and Walnut streets.  The building was a four story building and was the largest building in the vicinity at that time.

  • April 1st, 1889

    • The office was moved to the 4th floor of the U.S. Courthouse and Post Office on the northeast corner of 5th and Court streets.

  • June 1890

    • J. R. Sage becomes Chief Meteorologist of the Des Moines office.

  • October 1st, 1890

    • All weather functions of the U.S. Army Signal Corps were transferred to the Department of Agriculture as the U.S. Weather Bureau.

  • January 1, 1908

    • Dr. George M. Chappel becomes Chief Meteorologist.

  • April 1st, 1918

    • C. D. Reed becomes Chief Meteorologist.

  • October 1st, 1929

    • The office was moved to the new U.S. Courthouse on the southeast corner of East First and Walnut streets and occupied rooms 400 to 404.

  • June 30th, 1940

    • The Weather Bureau transfers from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Commerce.

  • March 1945

    • H. C. S. Thom becomes Chief Meteorologist.

  • May 1948

    • Clarence Lamoureux becomes Chief Meteorologist.

  • October 16th, 1950

    • The office was moved to the 2nd floor of the Des Moines Airport Terminal near the corner of Army Post Road and Fleur Drive.

  • October 1970

    • Harold M. Gibson becomes Meteorologist-in-Charge.

  • October 3rd, 1970

    • The Weather Bureau changes names to the National Weather Service which becomes part of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) during reorganization within the Department of Commerce.

  • July 1972

    • Warren C. Caldwell becomes Meteorologist-in-Charge.

  • January 1980

    • Perry L. Baker becomes Meteorologist-in-Charge.

  • August 1992

    • John Feldt becomes Meteorologist-in-Charge.

  • September 1st, 1993

    • The office was moved to the northern side of the Des Moines metropolitan near the Saylorville Reservoir in Johnston.

  • January 1998

    • Brenda Brock becomes Meteorologist-in-Charge.
  • National Weather Service
  • Des Moines, IA Weather Forecast Office
  • 9607 NW Beaver Drive
  • Johnston, IA 50131-1908
  • 515-270-2614
  • Page Author: DMX Webmaster
  • Web Master's E-mail: w-dmx.webmaster@noaa.gov
  • Page last modified: January 27th 2009 5:42 AM
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