Elgin, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elgin, Fayette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elgin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 67 days in the Fayette forecast zone and Fayette County — the most common reported hazard around Elgin, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days) and flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 67 | Feb 2026 | Feb 23, 2007 · $75,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jul 2025 | Jun 22, 2015 · $3.1 million damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Aug 2025 | Jun 7, 2008 · $5.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jun 2024 | Jul 22, 2017 · $9.6 million damage |
| Blizzards | 19 | Mar 2026 | Dec 10, 2010 · $2,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $180,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $27,000 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 Fayette forecast zone and Fayette County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elgin get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Elgin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Postville weather station 10.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.7 | 8.0 | 12.0 | 10.4 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 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 Elgin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 64 miles north-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 Elgin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 64 mi north-northeast | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 107 mi south-southeast | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 136 mi southwest | 15,500 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 Elgin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 81 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elgin, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 13 miles southwest of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 23, 2022, which touched down about 21 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 244 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 8.00-inch hail on May 31, 1958.
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 Elgin'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.
Elgin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elgin, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 64 miles north-northeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elgin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elgin the lowest scan from KARX is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Elgin 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 Elgin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- West Union, IA radar 9 mi
- Postville, IA radar 10 mi
- Fayette, IA radar 12 mi
- Elkader, IA radar 14 mi
- Monona, IA radar 14 mi
- Calmar, IA radar 20 mi
- Strawberry Point, IA radar 20 mi
- Waukon, IA radar 23 mi
- Oelwein, IA radar 24 mi
- Sumner, IA radar 24 mi