Dawson, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dawson, Dallas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dawson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 116 days in the Dallas forecast zone and Dallas County — the most common reported hazard around Dawson, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (99 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (57 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 116 | Aug 2025 | Jun 29, 1998 · $5.4 million damage |
| Flooding | 99 | Jun 2022 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $6.2 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | May 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Apr 2022 | Jun 22, 2007 · $350,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 16 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2017 | 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 Dallas forecast zone and Dallas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dawson get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Dawson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jamaica 3.2 S weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 1.7 | 8.3 | 7.0 | 11.2 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 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 Dawson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 27 miles east-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 Dawson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 27 mi east-southeast | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 117 mi west-southwest | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 175 mi northwest | 23,500 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 Dawson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 142 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dawson, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1976, which passed about 19 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2024, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 509 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 51 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 24, 2015.
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 Dawson'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.
Dawson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dawson, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 27 miles east-southeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dawson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dawson the lowest scan from KDMX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dawson 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 Dawson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Perry, IA radar 7 mi
- Panora, IA radar 13 mi
- Jefferson, IA radar 15 mi
- Woodward, IA radar 15 mi
- Dallas Center, IA radar 16 mi
- Ogden, IA radar 17 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 18 mi
- Adel, IA radar 19 mi
- Madrid, IA radar 21 mi
- Granger, IA radar 22 mi