Carson, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carson, Pottawattamie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 90 days in the Pottawattamie forecast zone and Pottawattamie County — the most common reported hazard around Carson, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 90 | Jun 2026 | Jun 27, 2008 · 2 deaths · $13 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Feb 2026 | Oct 25, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 28 | Jul 2024 | Aug 1, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 26 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 24 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 13 | May 2024 | Sep 23, 2015 · $6.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2025 | — |
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 Pottawattamie forecast zone and Pottawattamie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carson get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Carson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oakland weather station 5.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 8.0 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Carson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 50 miles west. 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 Carson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 50 mi west | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 94 mi east-northeast | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 161 mi south-southwest | 20,300 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 Carson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 122 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carson, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 26, 1976, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 409 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 64 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 17, 2025.
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 Carson'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.
Carson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carson, IA?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 50 miles west. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carson the lowest scan from KOAX is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carson 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 Carson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Oakland, IA radar 5 mi
- Treynor, IA radar 10 mi
- Avoca, IA radar 18 mi
- Malvern, IA radar 18 mi
- Red Oak, IA radar 18 mi
- Glenwood, IA radar 21 mi
- Council Bluffs, IA radar 23 mi
- Atlantic, IA radar 23 mi
- Carter Lake, IA radar 26 mi
- Harlan, IA radar 29 mi