Barnum, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Barnum, Webster County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Barnum?
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 Barnum, 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 Barnum get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Barnum, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ft Dodge 5Nnw weather station 10 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 Barnum?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 63 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 Barnum | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 63 mi south-southeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 132 mi southwest | 14,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 141 mi west-northwest | 16,400 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 Barnum
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 142 tornadoes within 25 miles of Barnum, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 28, 1979, which passed about 5 miles southwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 4, 2024, which touched down about 8 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 341 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 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 Barnum'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.
Barnum radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Barnum, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 63 miles south-southeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Barnum?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Barnum the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Barnum 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 Barnum, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manson, IA radar 9 mi
- Fort Dodge, IA radar 10 mi
- Rockwell City, IA radar 15 mi
- Humboldt, IA radar 17 mi
- Pocahontas, IA radar 22 mi
- Lake City, IA radar 25 mi
- Eagle Grove, IA radar 26 mi
- Webster City, IA radar 28 mi
- Sac City, IA radar 33 mi
- Jefferson, IA radar 34 mi