Carbon, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carbon, Adams County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carbon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Adams forecast zone and Adams County — the most common reported hazard around Carbon, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and high winds (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jul 2023 | Sep 7, 2001 · $275,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2024 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 27 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2019 | May 11, 2011 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Jul 2015 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $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 Adams forecast zone and Adams County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carbon get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Carbon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Corning weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.6 | 6.9 | 8.2 | 6.2 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 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 Carbon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 74 miles northeast. 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 Carbon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 74 mi northeast | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 82 mi west-northwest | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 158 mi south | 19,700 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 Carbon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 146 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carbon, 38 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on May 21, 2024, which passed about 3 miles southeast of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 11, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 411 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 52 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 20, 1961.
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 Carbon'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.
Carbon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carbon, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 74 miles northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carbon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carbon the lowest scan from KDMX is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Carbon 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 Carbon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Corning, IA radar 6 mi
- Villisca, IA radar 12 mi
- Lenox, IA radar 18 mi
- Red Oak, IA radar 21 mi
- Creston, IA radar 24 mi
- Clarinda, IA radar 24 mi
- Atlantic, IA radar 26 mi
- Greenfield, IA radar 26 mi
- Bedford, IA radar 27 mi
- Oakland, IA radar 35 mi