Dows, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dows, Wright County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dows?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Wright forecast zone and Wright County — the most common reported hazard around Dows, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and high winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Aug 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 48 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 40 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 34 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · 2 deaths · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2025 | Jun 8, 2008 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Jan 2023 | Dec 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 Wright forecast zone and Wright County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dows get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Dows, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Popejoy 1S weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.9 | 6.7 | 8.7 | 6.6 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 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 Dows?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 65 miles south. 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 Dows | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 65 mi south | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 141 mi northeast | 16,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 151 mi north | 18,400 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 Dows
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 122 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dows, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 21 miles east-northeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 24, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles south of town.
Hail: 285 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on August 26, 2004.
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 Dows'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.
Dows radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dows, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 65 miles south. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dows?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dows the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dows 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 Dows, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Iowa Falls, IA radar 15 mi
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- Webster City, IA radar 21 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 22 mi
- Ackley, IA radar 24 mi
- Jewell Junction, IA radar 25 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 27 mi