Diamondhead Lake, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Diamondhead Lake, Guthrie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Diamondhead Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 76 days in the Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County — the most common reported hazard around Diamondhead Lake, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 76 | Jul 2025 | Jul 10, 2002 · $2.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 38 | Jun 2022 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | May 2024 | May 24, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $1.0 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 Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Diamondhead Lake?
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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Diamondhead Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 30 mi east-northeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 110 mi west | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 189 mi northwest | 26,500 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 Diamondhead Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 139 tornadoes within 25 miles of Diamondhead Lake, 30 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 24 miles west-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on June 25, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 435 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 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 Diamondhead Lake'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.
Diamondhead Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Diamondhead Lake, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 30 miles east-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Diamondhead Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Diamondhead Lake the lowest scan from KDMX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Diamondhead Lake 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 Diamondhead Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stuart, IA radar 5 mi
- Earlham, IA radar 8 mi
- Panora, IA radar 11 mi
- Adel, IA radar 13 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 15 mi
- Van Meter, IA radar 16 mi
- Dallas Center, IA radar 17 mi
- Winterset, IA radar 19 mi
- Waukee, IA radar 20 mi
- Greenfield, IA radar 20 mi