Center Junction, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Center Junction, Jones County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Center Junction?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Jones forecast zone and Jones County — the most common reported hazard around Center Junction, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (89 days) and flooding (23 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds104Jun 2026Jul 22, 2011 · $1.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms89Nov 2025Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage
Flooding23Sep 2018Jul 23, 2010 · $15 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill18Jan 2019—
Flash flooding18May 2022Jul 23, 2016 · $2.0 million damage
High winds13Dec 2021Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage
Blizzards10Mar 2026Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet10Dec 2024Feb 24, 2007 · $208,000 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 Jones forecast zone and Jones County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Center Junction get?

A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Center Junction, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cascade weather station 13.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.8 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.21.86.98.38.84.20.90.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Center Junction?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 43 miles southeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Center JunctionView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA
43 mi southeast2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KARX
La Crosse, WI
118 mi north12,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDMX
Des Moines, IA
138 mi west15,900 ftLimited — 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 Center Junction

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 136 tornadoes within 25 miles of Center Junction, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 8 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 233 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 18, 1998.

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 Center Junction'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.

Center Junction radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Center Junction, IA?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 43 miles southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Center Junction?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Center Junction the lowest scan from KDVN is about 2,900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Center Junction 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 Center Junction, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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