Curlew, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Curlew, Palo Alto County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Curlew?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 54 days in the Palo Alto forecast zone and Palo Alto County — the most common reported hazard around Curlew, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (50 days) and high winds (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 54 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | Jul 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 44 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 43 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 34 | Mar 2025 | Mar 1, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2018 | Jul 26, 1997 · $170,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2023 | Jan 20, 2010 · $50,000 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 Palo Alto forecast zone and Palo Alto County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Curlew get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Curlew, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Emmetsburg weather station 8.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 4.9 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 5.9 | 2.6 | 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 Curlew?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 101 miles south-southeast. 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 Curlew | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 101 mi south-southeast | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 109 mi west-northwest | 10,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 142 mi north-northeast | 16,600 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 Curlew
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of Curlew, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an EF4 on April 9, 2011, which passed about 18 miles south of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 16, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 348 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 45 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 4, 1995.
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 Curlew'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.
Curlew radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Curlew, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 101 miles south-southeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Curlew?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Curlew the lowest scan from KDMX is about 9,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Curlew 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 Curlew, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Emmetsburg, IA radar 10 mi
- Laurens, IA radar 11 mi
- Pocahontas, IA radar 17 mi
- Spencer, IA radar 24 mi
- Algona, IA radar 26 mi
- Estherville, IA radar 29 mi
- Humboldt, IA radar 31 mi
- Milford, IA radar 32 mi
- Manson, IA radar 33 mi
- Arnolds Park, IA radar 33 mi