Emerson, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Emerson, Mills County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Emerson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Mills forecast zone and Mills County — the most common reported hazard around Emerson, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 78 | Jun 2026 | Apr 11, 2001 · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Feb 2026 | Oct 25, 1997 · $1.1 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 34 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 26 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 25 | Jul 2024 | Aug 1, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 23 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2025 | May 6, 2007 · $2.5 million 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 Mills forecast zone and Mills County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Emerson get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Emerson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hastings 4Ne weather station 5.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 0.6 | 5.5 | 4.7 | 6.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Emerson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 54 miles west-northwest. 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 Emerson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 54 mi west-northwest | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 100 mi east-northeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 146 mi south-southwest | 17,500 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 Emerson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 129 tornadoes within 25 miles of Emerson, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 12, 1964, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 16 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 353 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 53 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 19, 2023.
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 Emerson'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.
Emerson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Emerson, IA?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 54 miles west-northwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Emerson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Emerson the lowest scan from KOAX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Emerson 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 Emerson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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