Battle Creek, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Battle Creek, Ida County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Battle Creek?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 49 days in the Ida forecast zone and Ida County — the most common reported hazard around Battle Creek, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and excessive heat (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 49 | May 2026 | Aug 8, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 26 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 25 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| High winds | 23 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 11 | Jun 2024 | Mar 13, 2019 · $810,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jun 2012 | — |
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 Ida forecast zone and Ida County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Battle Creek get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Battle Creek, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Holstein weather station 12.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 3.5 | 8.1 | 6.9 | 8.9 | 5.3 | 2.1 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Battle Creek?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 79 miles south-southwest. 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 Battle Creek | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 79 mi south-southwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 105 mi east-southeast | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 105 mi north-northwest | 10,300 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 Battle Creek
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 86 tornadoes within 25 miles of Battle Creek, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an EF4 on October 4, 2013, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 26, 2024, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 301 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 19, 1996.
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 Battle Creek'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.
Battle Creek radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Battle Creek, IA?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 79 miles south-southwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Battle Creek?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Battle Creek the lowest scan from KOAX is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Battle Creek 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 Battle Creek, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ida Grove, IA radar 7 mi
- Holstein, IA radar 12 mi
- Mapleton, IA radar 14 mi
- Denison, IA radar 24 mi
- Kingsley, IA radar 26 mi
- Moville, IA radar 27 mi
- Alta, IA radar 29 mi
- Lake View, IA radar 29 mi
- Cherokee, IA radar 30 mi
- Storm Lake, IA radar 31 mi