Fairfax, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairfax, Linn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairfax?
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 Fairfax, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (91 days) and flash flooding (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 152 | Jun 2026 | Aug 10, 2020 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 91 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jun 2026 | Jun 30, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 25 | May 2025 | Jun 1, 2008 · $750 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2019 | Dec 18, 2016 · 1 death |
| High winds | 17 | Mar 2025 | Jun 10, 2003 · $550,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2019 | Jun 20, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Dec 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 Fairfax get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Fairfax, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Walford 2 Se weather station 4.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.2 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 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 Fairfax?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 65 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Fairfax | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 65 mi east-southeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 101 mi west | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 134 mi north-northeast | 15,200 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 Fairfax
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 146 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairfax, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 24 miles south of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 19 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 513 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 8, 1988.
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 Fairfax'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.
Fairfax radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairfax, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 65 miles east-southeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairfax?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairfax the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairfax 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 Fairfax, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Walford, IA radar 4 mi
- Cedar Rapids, IA radar 6 mi
- Atkins, IA radar 6 mi
- Palo, IA radar 10 mi
- Hiawatha, IA radar 10 mi
- Ely, IA radar 10 mi
- Robins, IA radar 12 mi
- Marion, IA radar 13 mi
- North Liberty, IA radar 15 mi
- Tiffin, IA radar 17 mi