Decatur, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Decatur, Decatur County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Decatur?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 59 days in the Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County — the most common reported hazard around Decatur, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (47 days) and flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Sep 2025 | Jun 19, 2011 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Sep 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 20 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2025 | Jun 3, 2014 · $450,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2024 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 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 Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Decatur get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Decatur, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lamoni weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.9 | 4.9 | 7.3 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Decatur?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 69 miles north. 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 Decatur | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 69 mi north | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 136 mi south | 15,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 138 mi west-northwest | 15,900 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 Decatur
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Decatur, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 12 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 6, 2024, which passed about 16 miles north of town.
Hail: 272 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 2005.
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 Decatur'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.
Decatur radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Decatur, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 69 miles north. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Decatur?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Decatur the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Decatur 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 Decatur, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Leon, IA radar 4 mi
- Lamoni, IA radar 10 mi
- Osceola, IA radar 20 mi
- Mount Ayr, IA radar 21 mi
- Corydon, IA radar 27 mi
- Chariton, IA radar 33 mi
- Creston, IA radar 35 mi
- Lenox, IA radar 39 mi
- Winterset, IA radar 43 mi
- Indianola, IA radar 45 mi