Elkader, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elkader, Clayton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elkader?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 107 days in the Clayton forecast zone and Clayton County — the most common reported hazard around Elkader, mostly in May and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (78 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (76 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 107 | Aug 2025 | Jun 7, 2008 · $25 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Feb 2026 | Nov 20, 1996 · $2,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 76 | May 2026 | Jun 22, 2015 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Aug 2025 | Jul 21, 2017 · $12 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $225,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2024 | Jan 4, 1998 · $4,000 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 Clayton forecast zone and Clayton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elkader get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Elkader, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elkader 6 Ssw weather station 6.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.3 | 8.1 | 10.2 | 8.0 | 5.4 | 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 Elkader?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 68 miles north. 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 Elkader | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 68 mi north | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 96 mi south-southeast | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 142 mi west-southwest | 16,600 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 Elkader
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 72 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elkader, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 23 miles west of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 31, 2023, which passed about 16 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 219 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 24, 2009.
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 Elkader'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.
Elkader radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elkader, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 68 miles north. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elkader?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elkader the lowest scan from KARX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Elkader 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 Elkader, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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