Elberon, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elberon, Tama County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elberon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Tama forecast zone and Tama County — the most common reported hazard around Elberon, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Jul 2025 | Jun 29, 1998 · $1.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 35 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Feb 2023 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Jan 2024 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | May 2024 | May 29, 2013 · $450,000 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 Tama forecast zone and Tama County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elberon get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Elberon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clutier weather station 6.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.9 | 8.0 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 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 Elberon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 75 miles west-southwest. 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 Elberon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 75 mi west-southwest | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 93 mi east-southeast | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 138 mi north-northeast | 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 Elberon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 123 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elberon, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on August 26, 1965, which passed about 20 miles north-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 6 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 286 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 11, 1970.
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 Elberon'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.
Elberon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elberon, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 75 miles west-southwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elberon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elberon the lowest scan from KDMX is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Elberon 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 Elberon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Belle Plaine, IA radar 8 mi
- Dysart, IA radar 12 mi
- Tama, IA radar 14 mi
- Toledo, IA radar 14 mi
- Traer, IA radar 15 mi
- Vinton, IA radar 18 mi
- Marengo, IA radar 19 mi
- Brooklyn, IA radar 20 mi
- La Porte City, IA radar 22 mi
- Atkins, IA radar 24 mi