Denison, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Denison, Crawford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Denison?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 67 days in the Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County — the most common reported hazard around Denison, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and high winds (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | Aug 2025 | Jul 10, 2002 · $2.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 36 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 22 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Aug 2014 | Jun 21, 1996 · $11 million damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $2.0 million 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 Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Denison get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Denison, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Denison weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.4 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 9.2 | 4.7 | 1.6 | 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 Denison?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 71 miles southwest. 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 Denison | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 71 mi southwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 86 mi east-southeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 129 mi north-northwest | 14,300 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 Denison
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 97 tornadoes within 25 miles of Denison, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 27, 1995, which passed about 24 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles south of town.
Hail: 266 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 26, 1993.
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 Denison'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.
Denison radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Denison, IA?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 71 miles southwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Denison?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Denison the lowest scan from KOAX is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Denison 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 Denison, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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