Dexter, IA Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for DexterWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Dexter?

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 Dexter, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (99 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (57 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds116Aug 2025Jun 29, 1998 · $5.4 million damage
Flooding99Jun 2022Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms57Feb 2026Oct 26, 1997 · $6.2 million damage
High winds34May 2025Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage
Flash flooding32Apr 2022Jun 22, 2007 · $350,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill18Jan 2025Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage
Blizzards16Mar 2025Dec 20, 2012 · $500,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet12Jan 2017Dec 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.

Which radars cover Dexter?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 30 miles east-northeast. 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 DexterView
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		30 mi east-northeast1,800 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KOAX
Omaha, NE		112 mi west11,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KEAX
Kansas City, MO		187 mi south26,100 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 Dexter

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 136 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dexter, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 27, 1953, which touched down about 25 miles west of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on June 25, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles east of town.

Hail: 491 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 July 2, 1999.

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 Dexter'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.

Dexter radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Dexter, IA?

KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 30 miles east-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Dexter?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dexter the lowest scan from KDMX is about 1,800 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

All Iowa towns →