Bayard, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bayard, Guthrie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bayard?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 76 days in the Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County — the most common reported hazard around Bayard, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 76 | Jul 2025 | Jul 10, 2002 · $2.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 38 | Jun 2022 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | May 2024 | May 24, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | 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 Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bayard get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Bayard, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jamaica 3.2 S weather station 13.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 1.7 | 8.3 | 7.0 | 11.2 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bayard?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 44 miles east. 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 Bayard | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 44 mi east | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 100 mi west-southwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 163 mi northwest | 20,800 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 Bayard
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bayard, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 27, 1995, which passed about 22 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 21, 2024, which passed about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 360 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 2, 1999.
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 Bayard'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.
Bayard radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bayard, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 44 miles east. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bayard?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bayard the lowest scan from KDMX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bayard 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 Bayard, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Coon Rapids, IA radar 6 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 12 mi
- Jefferson, IA radar 15 mi
- Panora, IA radar 15 mi
- Glidden, IA radar 17 mi
- Audubon, IA radar 21 mi
- Carroll, IA radar 22 mi
- Perry, IA radar 24 mi
- Manning, IA radar 26 mi
- Stuart, IA radar 27 mi