Garden City, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Garden City, Hardin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Garden City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 80 days in the Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County — the most common reported hazard around Garden City, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Aug 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 36 | Dec 2015 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 27 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | May 2024 | Jun 22, 2007 · $350,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Feb 2023 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 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 Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Garden City get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Garden City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hubbard weather station 6.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.5 | 8.2 | 10.8 | 9.5 | 5.5 | 2.4 | 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 Garden City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 39 miles south-southwest. 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 Garden City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 39 mi south-southwest | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 151 mi east-southeast | 18,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 156 mi northeast | 19,300 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 Garden City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 155 tornadoes within 25 miles of Garden City, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1976, which passed about 11 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 19, 2025, which passed about 17 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 401 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on May 30, 1998.
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 Garden 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.
Garden City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Garden City, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 39 miles south-southwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 151 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Garden City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Garden City the lowest scan from KDMX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Garden 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 Garden City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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