Diagonal, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Diagonal, Ringgold County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Diagonal?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 44 days in the Ringgold forecast zone and Ringgold County — the most common reported hazard around Diagonal, mostly in June and April. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and high winds (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 44 | Apr 2025 | Feb 20, 2014 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 23 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2024 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Sep 2018 | Sep 9, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Sep 2014 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 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 Ringgold forecast zone and Ringgold County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Diagonal get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Diagonal, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Ayr weather station 8.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.2 | 4.0 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 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 Diagonal?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 71 miles north-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Diagonal | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 71 mi north-northeast | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 111 mi west-northwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 138 mi south | 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 Diagonal
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 120 tornadoes within 25 miles of Diagonal, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 27, 1995, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 8 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 332 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 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 Diagonal'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.
Diagonal radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Diagonal, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 71 miles north-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Diagonal?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Diagonal the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Diagonal 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 Diagonal, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mount Ayr, IA radar 9 mi
- Lenox, IA radar 12 mi
- Creston, IA radar 17 mi
- Bedford, IA radar 22 mi
- Corning, IA radar 24 mi
- Lamoni, IA radar 25 mi
- Leon, IA radar 31 mi
- Osceola, IA radar 33 mi
- Villisca, IA radar 34 mi
- Greenfield, IA radar 35 mi