Blakesburg, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Blakesburg, Wapello County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Blakesburg?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 95 days in the Wapello forecast zone and Wapello County — the most common reported hazard around Blakesburg, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (76 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 95 | Jul 2025 | Jun 21, 1997 · $110,000 damage |
| Flooding | 76 | Jul 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $605,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jun 2021 | Jun 25, 2000 · $600,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 17 | Dec 2024 | Jan 20, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 10 | Jan 2024 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 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 Wapello forecast zone and Wapello County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Blakesburg get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Blakesburg, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Albia 3 Nne weather station 10.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.9 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 8.4 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 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 Blakesburg?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 78 miles northwest. 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 Blakesburg | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 78 mi northwest | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 116 mi east-northeast | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 172 mi south-southwest | 22,700 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 Blakesburg
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blakesburg, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on November 5, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 291 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 28, 1990.
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 Blakesburg'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.
Blakesburg radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Blakesburg, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 78 miles northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Blakesburg?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Blakesburg the lowest scan from KDMX is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Blakesburg 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 Blakesburg, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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