Early, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Early, Sac County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Early?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 53 days in the Sac forecast zone and Sac County — the most common reported hazard around Early, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Aug 2025 | Aug 8, 2010 · $315,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 40 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 29 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 22 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2019 | Jul 23, 2010 · $260,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $2.5 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 Sac forecast zone and Sac County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Early get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Early, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sac City weather station 9.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.7 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 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 Early?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 89 miles southeast. 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 Early | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 89 mi southeast | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 101 mi southwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 111 mi northwest | 11,300 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 Early
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Early, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 27, 1995, which passed about 16 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 31, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 283 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 17, 1978.
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 Early'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.
Early radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Early, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 89 miles southeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Early?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Early the lowest scan from KDMX is about 8,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Early 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 Early, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sac City, IA radar 8 mi
- Lake View, IA radar 13 mi
- Storm Lake, IA radar 13 mi
- Alta, IA radar 16 mi
- Ida Grove, IA radar 18 mi
- Holstein, IA radar 20 mi
- Lake City, IA radar 25 mi
- Rockwell City, IA radar 27 mi
- Cherokee, IA radar 28 mi
- Carroll, IA radar 31 mi