Carpenter, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carpenter, Mitchell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carpenter?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 66 days in the Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County — the most common reported hazard around Carpenter, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (41 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 66 | Nov 2025 | Feb 23, 2007 · $125,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 41 | Jul 2025 | Sep 2, 2011 · $41 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 21 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 20 | Jun 2024 | Jun 7, 2008 · $2.7 million damage |
| High winds | 17 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Aug 2021 | May 19, 2013 · $25 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $70,000 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 Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carpenter get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Carpenter, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the St Ansgar weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.7 | 12.7 | 10.1 | 11.3 | 6.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Carpenter?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 96 miles east-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 Carpenter | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 96 mi east-northeast | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 103 mi north-northwest | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 122 mi south-southwest | 13,000 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 Carpenter
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 129 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carpenter, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 26, 2025, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 294 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on June 8, 1993.
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 Carpenter'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.
Carpenter radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carpenter, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 96 miles east-northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carpenter?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carpenter the lowest scan from KARX is about 9,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Carpenter 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 Carpenter, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- St. Ansgar, IA radar 6 mi
- Northwood, IA radar 10 mi
- Manly, IA radar 13 mi
- Osage, IA radar 14 mi
- Nora Springs, IA radar 19 mi
- Mason City, IA radar 21 mi
- Lake Mills, IA radar 26 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 26 mi
- Charles City, IA radar 30 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 31 mi