Archer, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Archer, O'Brien County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for ArcherWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Archer?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 68 days in the O'Brien forecast zone and O'Brien County — the most common reported hazard around Archer, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flooding (36 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds68Jul 2025Jun 22, 2015 · $1.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms49Dec 2025Apr 9, 2013 · $10 million damage
Flooding36Jul 2024Jun 21, 2024 · $2.3 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill33Dec 2025—
High winds29Mar 2026Apr 7, 2001 · $100,000 damage
Blizzards28Mar 2026Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage
Excessive heat25Jun 2026—
Flash flooding15Jul 2025Jul 22, 2010 · $100,000 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 O'Brien forecast zone and O'Brien County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Archer get?

A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Archer, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Primghar weather station 6.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.4 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.42.58.28.46.76.22.40.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Archer?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 59 miles northwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ArcherView
KFSD
Sioux Falls, SD		59 mi northwest4,500 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KOAX
Omaha, NE		128 mi south-southwest14,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		141 mi southeast16,400 ftLimited — 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 Archer

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 146 tornadoes within 25 miles of Archer, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 18 miles north of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2024, which touched down about 3 miles east of town.

Hail: 376 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 9, 2009.

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 Archer'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.

Archer radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Archer, IA?

KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 59 miles northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 128 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Archer?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Archer the lowest scan from KFSD is about 4,500 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Archer 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 Archer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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