Fairbank, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairbank, Buchanan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairbank?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Buchanan forecast zone and Buchanan County — the most common reported hazard around Fairbank, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (84 days) and flash flooding (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Jun 18, 1998 · $1.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Nov 2025 | Feb 24, 2007 · $755,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 39 | Jul 2025 | May 23, 2004 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 26 | Jun 2020 | Jun 1, 2008 · $3.1 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Jan 1, 2005 · $5,000 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 Buchanan forecast zone and Buchanan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairbank get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Fairbank, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oelwein 1E weather station 9.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.8 | 10.9 | 8.7 | 10.9 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 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 Fairbank?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 92 miles north-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 Fairbank | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 92 mi north-northeast | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 103 mi southeast | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 106 mi southwest | 10,600 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 Fairbank
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 130 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairbank, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF5 on May 25, 2008, which passed about 2 miles west-southwest of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 16, 2024, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 387 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 46 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 8.00-inch hail on May 31, 1958.
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 Fairbank'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.
Fairbank radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairbank, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 92 miles north-northeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairbank?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairbank the lowest scan from KARX is about 8,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Fairbank 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 Fairbank, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Oelwein, IA radar 7 mi
- Jesup, IA radar 11 mi
- Independence, IA radar 14 mi
- Denver, IA radar 15 mi
- Sumner, IA radar 15 mi
- Tripoli, IA radar 16 mi
- Elk Run Heights, IA radar 16 mi
- Evansdale, IA radar 17 mi
- Waterloo, IA radar 19 mi
- Fayette, IA radar 19 mi