Bristow, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bristow, Butler County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bristow?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 79 days in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County — the most common reported hazard around Bristow, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 79 | Jun 2024 | May 26, 2013 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Aug 2025 | May 17, 2017 · 1 death · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | May 2024 | Sep 21, 2016 · $700,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 23 | Mar 2025 | Jan 18, 1996 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Feb 2023 | Feb 8, 2001 · $75,000 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 Butler forecast zone and Butler County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bristow get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Bristow, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Parkersburg weather station 14.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.0 | 7.4 | 8.9 | 7.2 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 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 Bristow?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 83 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 Bristow | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 83 mi south-southwest | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 113 mi northeast | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 144 mi east-southeast | 16,900 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 Bristow
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bristow, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 8 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 18, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 337 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 16, 2007.
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 Bristow'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.
Bristow radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bristow, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 83 miles south-southwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bristow?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bristow the lowest scan from KDMX is about 7,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bristow 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 Bristow, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Clarksville, IA radar 12 mi
- Aplington, IA radar 13 mi
- Hampton, IA radar 15 mi
- Parkersburg, IA radar 15 mi
- Ackley, IA radar 17 mi
- Shell Rock, IA radar 17 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 17 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 20 mi
- Nashua, IA radar 22 mi
- Waverly, IA radar 23 mi