Elk Horn, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elk Horn, Shelby County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elk Horn?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 65 days in the Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County — the most common reported hazard around Elk Horn, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 65 | Aug 2025 | Jun 9, 1999 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Feb 2026 | Oct 25, 1997 · $1.6 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 45 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 22 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2010 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2014 | Jun 30, 2014 · $50,000 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 Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elk Horn get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Elk Horn, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Atlantic 1 Ne weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 2.0 | 7.7 | 5.1 | 7.9 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 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 Elk Horn?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 70 miles east. 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 Elk Horn | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 70 mi east | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 70 mi west-southwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 162 mi north-northwest | 20,600 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 Elk Horn
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elk Horn, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 27, 1953, which touched down about 21 miles east-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 13 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 315 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 26, 1993.
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 Elk Horn'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.
Elk Horn radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elk Horn, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 70 miles east. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elk Horn?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elk Horn the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Elk Horn 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 Elk Horn, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Harlan, IA radar 14 mi
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- Manning, IA radar 22 mi
- Oakland, IA radar 26 mi
- Coon Rapids, IA radar 28 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 30 mi
- Denison, IA radar 33 mi
- Dunlap, IA radar 33 mi