Chillicothe, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chillicothe, Wapello County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chillicothe?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 95 days in the Wapello forecast zone and Wapello County — the most common reported hazard around Chillicothe, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (76 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 95 | Jul 2025 | Jun 21, 1997 · $110,000 damage |
| Flooding | 76 | Jul 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $605,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jun 2021 | Jun 25, 2000 · $600,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 17 | Dec 2024 | Jan 20, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 10 | Jan 2024 | Dec 20, 2012 · $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 Wapello forecast zone and Wapello County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chillicothe get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Chillicothe, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ottumwa Industrial Ap weather station 4.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 7.1 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 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 Chillicothe?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 76 miles northwest. 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 Chillicothe | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 76 mi northwest | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 107 mi east-northeast | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 180 mi east-southeast | 24,400 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 Chillicothe
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chillicothe, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 7 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on November 5, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 261 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on May 8, 2003.
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 Chillicothe'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.
Chillicothe radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chillicothe, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 76 miles northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chillicothe?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chillicothe the lowest scan from KDMX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chillicothe 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 Chillicothe, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ottumwa, IA radar 7 mi
- Albia, IA radar 15 mi
- Oskaloosa, IA radar 15 mi
- Bloomfield, IA radar 24 mi
- Sigourney, IA radar 24 mi
- New Sharon, IA radar 27 mi
- Pella, IA radar 30 mi
- Fairfield, IA radar 30 mi
- Centerville, IA radar 30 mi
- Knoxville, IA radar 34 mi