Elma, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elma, Howard County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elma?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 64 days in the Howard forecast zone and Howard County — the most common reported hazard around Elma, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Feb 2026 | Feb 23, 2007 · $80,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jul 2025 | Sep 2, 2011 · $7.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 19 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jun 2020 | Jun 1, 2000 · $425,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $185,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2024 | Jun 7, 2008 · $1.8 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $15,000 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 Howard forecast zone and Howard County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elma get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Elma, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ionia 2 W weather station 15 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.6 | 9.0 | 8.1 | 9.3 | 5.0 | 2.1 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Elma?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 74 miles east-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 Elma | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 74 mi east-northeast | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 123 mi south-southwest | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 124 mi north-northwest | 13,400 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 Elma
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elma, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 6 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 9, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 252 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on June 8, 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 Elma'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.
Elma radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elma, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 74 miles east-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elma?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elma the lowest scan from KARX 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 Elma 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 Elma, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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