Fontanelle, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fontanelle, Adair County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fontanelle?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 75 days in the Adair forecast zone and Adair County — the most common reported hazard around Fontanelle, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Aug 2025 | Jun 18, 2010 · $175,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 21 | May 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2025 | May 24, 2007 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Dec 19, 2000 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 14 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $500,000 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 Adair forecast zone and Adair County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fontanelle get?
A normal year brings about 26 inches of snow to Fontanelle, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Greenfield weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.7 | 5.4 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 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 Fontanelle?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 53 miles 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 Fontanelle | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 53 mi northeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 94 mi west | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 172 mi south | 22,700 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 Fontanelle
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 132 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fontanelle, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 27, 1953, which touched down about 13 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 371 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 49 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 2, 1999.
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 Fontanelle'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.
Fontanelle radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fontanelle, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 53 miles northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fontanelle?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fontanelle the lowest scan from KDMX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fontanelle 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 Fontanelle, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Greenfield, IA radar 5 mi
- Creston, IA radar 19 mi
- Stuart, IA radar 19 mi
- Corning, IA radar 23 mi
- Atlantic, IA radar 25 mi
- Earlham, IA radar 27 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 27 mi
- Lenox, IA radar 28 mi
- Winterset, IA radar 28 mi
- Panora, IA radar 30 mi