Forest City, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Forest City, Winnebago County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Forest City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 55 days in the Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County — the most common reported hazard around Forest City, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (52 days) and high winds (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | Jul 2025 | Jun 26, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 41 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 37 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flooding | 25 | Jul 2013 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Nov 2020 | Jan 27, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jun 2018 | Jun 18, 2002 · $175,000 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 Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Forest City get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Forest City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake Mills weather station 12.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 3.1 | 8.7 | 8.2 | 9.5 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 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 Forest City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 106 miles south. 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 Forest City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 106 mi south | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 110 mi north | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 129 mi east-northeast | 14,200 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 Forest City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 122 tornadoes within 25 miles of Forest City, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on October 14, 1966, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 17, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles west of town.
Hail: 336 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on August 26, 2004.
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 Forest City'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.
Forest City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Forest City, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 106 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Forest City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Forest City the lowest scan from KDMX is about 10,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Forest City 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 Forest City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Garner, IA radar 11 mi
- Lake Mills, IA radar 12 mi
- Britt, IA radar 14 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 16 mi
- Manly, IA radar 22 mi
- Mason City, IA radar 23 mi
- Northwood, IA radar 25 mi
- Belmond, IA radar 28 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 30 mi
- Algona, IA radar 32 mi