Badger, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Badger, Webster County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Badger?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 93 days in the Webster forecast zone and Webster County — the most common reported hazard around Badger, mostly in June and May. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (89 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 93 | Jul 2024 | Jun 26, 2005 · 1 death · $115,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Sep 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $5.3 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 47 | Mar 2025 | Jun 26, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Sep 2025 | Jun 27, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 27 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $1.0 million 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 Webster forecast zone and Webster County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Badger get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Badger, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ft Dodge 5Nnw weather station 3.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.8 | 7.9 | 8.6 | 11.8 | 5.6 | 1.5 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Badger?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 65 miles south-southeast. 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 Badger | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 65 mi south-southeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 145 mi southwest | 17,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 147 mi west-northwest | 17,500 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 Badger
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 144 tornadoes within 25 miles of Badger, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 28, 1979, which passed about 18 miles southwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 26, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 332 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 10, 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 Badger'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.
Badger radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Badger, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 65 miles south-southeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Badger?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Badger the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Badger 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 Badger, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fort Dodge, IA radar 7 mi
- Humboldt, IA radar 9 mi
- Eagle Grove, IA radar 13 mi
- Webster City, IA radar 20 mi
- Manson, IA radar 21 mi
- Clarion, IA radar 23 mi
- Pocahontas, IA radar 28 mi
- Rockwell City, IA radar 29 mi
- Belmond, IA radar 32 mi
- Algona, IA radar 32 mi