Cresco, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cresco, Howard County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cresco?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 64 days in the Howard forecast zone and Howard County — the most common reported hazard around Cresco, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Feb 2026 | Feb 23, 2007 · $80,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jul 2025 | Sep 2, 2011 · $7.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 19 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jun 2020 | Jun 1, 2000 · $425,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $185,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2024 | Jun 7, 2008 · $1.8 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $15,000 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 Howard forecast zone and Howard County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cresco get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Cresco, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cresco 1 Ne weather station 1.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.6 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 2.4 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Cresco?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 56 miles northeast. 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 Cresco | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 56 mi northeast | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 125 mi northwest | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 140 mi southwest | 16,200 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 Cresco
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 97 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cresco, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 13 miles west-northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 5, 2024, which touched down about 11 miles east of town.
Hail: 225 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on August 25, 1965.
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 Cresco'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.
Cresco radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cresco, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 56 miles northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cresco?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cresco the lowest scan from KARX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cresco 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 Cresco, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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