Crescent, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Crescent, Pottawattamie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Crescent?
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 Crescent, 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 Crescent get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Crescent, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Omaha Eppley Airfield weather station 4.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.7 | 5.8 | 7.2 | 7.8 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 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 Crescent?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 27 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 Crescent | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 27 mi west | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 113 mi east-northeast | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 153 mi west-southwest | 18,800 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 Crescent
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crescent, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1975, which passed about 10 miles southwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 6 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 831 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 123 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on June 3, 2014.
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 Crescent'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.
Crescent radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Crescent, IA?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 27 miles west. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Crescent?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Crescent the lowest scan from KOAX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Crescent 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 Crescent, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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