Earlham, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Earlham, Madison County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Earlham?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Madison forecast zone and Madison County — the most common reported hazard around Earlham, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and flooding (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Jun 2025 | Feb 25, 2000 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 25 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 14 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jul 2025 | Jul 28, 2015 · $650,000 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 Madison forecast zone and Madison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Earlham get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Earlham, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Winterset 1S weather station 13.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 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 Earlham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 26 miles 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 Earlham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 26 mi northeast | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 117 mi west | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 183 mi east | 25,200 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 Earlham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 147 tornadoes within 25 miles of Earlham, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 14 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 21 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 629 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 59 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 Earlham'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.
Earlham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Earlham, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 26 miles northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Earlham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Earlham the lowest scan from KDMX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Earlham 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 Earlham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Van Meter, IA radar 9 mi
- Adel, IA radar 10 mi
- Stuart, IA radar 10 mi
- Winterset, IA radar 11 mi
- Waukee, IA radar 14 mi
- Dallas Center, IA radar 15 mi
- West Des Moines, IA radar 18 mi
- Panora, IA radar 18 mi
- Clive, IA radar 19 mi
- Urbandale, IA radar 20 mi