Clear Lake, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clear Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 84 days in the Cerro Gordo forecast zone and Cerro Gordo County — the most common reported hazard around Clear Lake, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 1998 · $275,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 53 | Aug 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 47 | Jun 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 35 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2018 | Jul 19, 1999 · $1.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2013 | 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 Cerro Gordo forecast zone and Cerro Gordo County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clear Lake get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Clear Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mason City Muni Ap weather station 2.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.0 | 9.4 | 11.3 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Clear Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 99 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 Clear Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 99 mi south | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 119 mi north | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 119 mi east-northeast | 12,600 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 Clear Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clear Lake, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on October 14, 1966, which passed about 17 miles south-southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 17, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 332 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 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 Clear Lake'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.
Clear Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clear Lake, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 99 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clear Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clear Lake the lowest scan from KDMX is about 9,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mason City, IA radar 9 mi
- Garner, IA radar 12 mi
- Manly, IA radar 14 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 14 mi
- Forest City, IA radar 16 mi
- Nora Springs, IA radar 18 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 19 mi
- Lake Mills, IA radar 21 mi
- Britt, IA radar 22 mi
- Northwood, IA radar 23 mi