Ely, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Ely, Linn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for ElyWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Ely?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 152 days in the Linn forecast zone and Linn County — the most common reported hazard around Ely, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (91 days) and flash flooding (44 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds152Jun 2026Aug 10, 2020 · 1 death
Heavy snow & winter storms91Nov 2025Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage
Flash flooding44Jun 2026Jun 30, 2014 · 1 death
Flooding25May 2025Jun 1, 2008 · $750 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill19Jan 2019Dec 18, 2016 · 1 death
High winds17Mar 2025Jun 10, 2003 · $550,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage14Jul 2019Jun 20, 2015 · 1 death
Ice storms & sleet11Dec 2024Dec 11, 2007 · 1 death

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 Linn forecast zone and Linn County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Ely get?

A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Ely, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Swisher #2 weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.8 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.10.87.77.77.84.50.60.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Ely?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 55 miles east-southeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ElyView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		55 mi east-southeast4,100 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		111 mi west11,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KARX
La Crosse, WI		136 mi north15,500 ftLimited — 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 Ely

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 147 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ely, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 25 miles south-southwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 22 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 473 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 31, 1971.

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 Ely'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.

Ely radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Ely, IA?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 55 miles east-southeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Ely?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ely the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,100 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Ely 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 Ely, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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