Crystal Lake, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Crystal Lake, Hancock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Crystal LakeWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Crystal Lake?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 59 days in the Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County — the most common reported hazard around Crystal Lake, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (54 days) and high winds (46 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms59Jan 2024Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds54Jul 2025Jun 23, 1998 · $240,000 damage
High winds46Mar 2025Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage
Blizzards36Mar 2025Jan 8, 2015 · 1 death
Flooding35May 2024Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill26Jan 2025Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet11Jan 2013Jan 27, 2013 · $50,000 damage
Flash flooding5May 2017May 21, 2004 · $150,000 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 Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Crystal Lake?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 103 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Crystal LakeView
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		103 mi south10,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMPX
Minneapolis, MN		113 mi north11,600 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KARX
La Crosse, WI		137 mi east-northeast15,700 ftLimited — 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 Crystal Lake

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crystal Lake, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on October 14, 1966, which passed about 25 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 17, 2025, which touched down about 3 miles north-northeast of town.

Hail: 305 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 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 Crystal 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.

Crystal Lake radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Crystal Lake, IA?

KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 103 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Crystal Lake?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Crystal Lake the lowest scan from KDMX is about 10,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

Is TALON's radar for Crystal 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 Crystal Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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