Fort Dodge, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fort Dodge, Webster County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fort Dodge?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 93 days in the Webster forecast zone and Webster County — the most common reported hazard around Fort Dodge, mostly in June and May. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (89 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 93 | Jul 2024 | Jun 26, 2005 · 1 death · $115,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Sep 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $5.3 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 47 | Mar 2025 | Jun 26, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Sep 2025 | Jun 27, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 27 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $1.0 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 Webster forecast zone and Webster County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fort Dodge get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Fort Dodge, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ft Dodge 5Nnw weather station 5.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.8 | 7.9 | 8.6 | 11.8 | 5.6 | 1.5 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Fort Dodge?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 59 miles south-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 Fort Dodge | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 59 mi south-southeast | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 140 mi southwest | 16,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 149 mi west-northwest | 17,900 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 Fort Dodge
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 159 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fort Dodge, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 28, 1979, which passed about 14 miles west-southwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 4, 2024, which touched down about 9 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 370 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 10, 1993.
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 Fort Dodge'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.
Fort Dodge radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fort Dodge, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 59 miles south-southeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fort Dodge?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fort Dodge the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Humboldt, IA radar 15 mi
- Eagle Grove, IA radar 18 mi
- Webster City, IA radar 19 mi
- Manson, IA radar 19 mi
- Rockwell City, IA radar 24 mi
- Clarion, IA radar 27 mi
- Pocahontas, IA radar 29 mi
- Jewell Junction, IA radar 31 mi
- Lake City, IA radar 33 mi
- Ogden, IA radar 33 mi