Clarion, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clarion, Wright County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clarion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Wright forecast zone and Wright County — the most common reported hazard around Clarion, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and high winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Aug 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 48 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 40 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 34 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · 2 deaths · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2025 | Jun 8, 2008 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Jan 2023 | Dec 23, 2009 · $500,000 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 Wright forecast zone and Wright County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clarion get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Clarion, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clarion weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (8.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.9 | 5.9 | 8.9 | 6.2 | 5.7 | 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 Clarion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 69 miles south. 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 Clarion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 69 mi south | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 147 mi north | 17,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 148 mi east-northeast | 17,800 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 Clarion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 115 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clarion, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on October 14, 1966, which passed about 6 miles northeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 26, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 276 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on August 26, 2004.
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 Clarion'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.
Clarion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clarion, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 69 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 147 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clarion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clarion the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clarion 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 Clarion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eagle Grove, IA radar 10 mi
- Belmond, IA radar 10 mi
- Webster City, IA radar 19 mi
- Humboldt, IA radar 25 mi
- Britt, IA radar 26 mi
- Garner, IA radar 26 mi
- Hampton, IA radar 27 mi
- Fort Dodge, IA radar 27 mi
- Iowa Falls, IA radar 28 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 29 mi