Buffalo Center, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo Center, Winnebago County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 55 days in the Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo Center, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (52 days) and high winds (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | Jul 2025 | Jun 26, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 41 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 37 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flooding | 25 | Jul 2013 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Nov 2020 | Jan 27, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jun 2018 | Jun 18, 2002 · $175,000 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 Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buffalo Center get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Buffalo Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bricelyn weather station 11.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 9.6 | 7.2 | 4.7 | 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 Buffalo Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 103 miles north. 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 Buffalo Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 103 mi north | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 115 mi south | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 140 mi west | 16,300 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 Buffalo Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo Center, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 17, 2010, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 17, 2025, which touched down about 12 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 248 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 22, 1997.
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 Buffalo Center'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.
Buffalo Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo Center, IA?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 103 miles north. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo Center the lowest scan from KMPX is about 10,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo Center 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 Buffalo Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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