Armstrong, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Armstrong, Emmet County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Armstrong?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 71 days in the Emmet forecast zone and Emmet County — the most common reported hazard around Armstrong, mostly in May and April. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (64 days) and high winds (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 71 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 64 | Jul 2025 | Jul 18, 1998 · $225,000 damage |
| High winds | 55 | Feb 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 36 | Mar 2025 | Mar 1, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2025 | Jan 18, 2001 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Jan 2023 | Nov 14, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jul 2016 | Jun 19, 2014 · $505,000 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 Emmet forecast zone and Emmet County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Armstrong get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Armstrong, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Swea City 5N weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 3.1 | 8.3 | 10.9 | 8.5 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Armstrong?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 110 miles north-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 Armstrong | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 110 mi north-northeast | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 113 mi west | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 121 mi south-southeast | 12,900 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 Armstrong
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Armstrong, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 28, 1979, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 21, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles north of town.
Hail: 293 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 29, 1993.
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 Armstrong'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.
Armstrong radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Armstrong, IA?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 110 miles north-northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Armstrong?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Armstrong the lowest scan from KMPX is about 11,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Armstrong 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 Armstrong, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Spencer, IA radar 38 mi
- Britt, IA radar 40 mi
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