Adel, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Adel, Dallas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Adel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 116 days in the Dallas forecast zone and Dallas County — the most common reported hazard around Adel, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (99 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (57 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 116 | Aug 2025 | Jun 29, 1998 · $5.4 million damage |
| Flooding | 99 | Jun 2022 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $6.2 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | May 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Apr 2022 | Jun 22, 2007 · $350,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 16 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $500,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Dallas forecast zone and Dallas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Adel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 17 miles east-northeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Adel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 17 mi east-northeast | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 124 mi west | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 177 mi east | 23,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Adel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 170 tornadoes within 25 miles of Adel, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1976, which passed about 23 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 13 miles east of town.
Hail: 774 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 64 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on July 9, 2021.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Adel's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Adel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Adel, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 17 miles east-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Adel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Adel the lowest scan from KDMX is about 900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Adel free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Adel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dallas Center, IA radar 6 mi
- Waukee, IA radar 7 mi
- Van Meter, IA radar 7 mi
- Earlham, IA radar 10 mi
- Clive, IA radar 11 mi
- Grimes, IA radar 12 mi
- Urbandale, IA radar 12 mi
- West Des Moines, IA radar 13 mi
- Granger, IA radar 14 mi
- Windsor Heights, IA radar 16 mi