Garner, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Garner, Hancock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Garner?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 59 days in the Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County — the most common reported hazard around Garner, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (54 days) and high winds (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 54 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 1998 · $240,000 damage |
| High winds | 46 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 36 | Mar 2025 | Jan 8, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 35 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2013 | Jan 27, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | May 2017 | May 21, 2004 · $150,000 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 Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Garner get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Garner, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mason City Muni Ap weather station 14.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.0 | 9.4 | 11.3 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Garner?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 95 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 Garner | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 95 mi south | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 121 mi north | 12,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 131 mi east-northeast | 14,600 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 Garner
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Garner, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on October 14, 1966, which passed about 13 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 14 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 328 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 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 Garner'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.
Garner radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Garner, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 95 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Garner?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Garner the lowest scan from KDMX is about 8,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Garner 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 Garner, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Forest City, IA radar 11 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 12 mi
- Belmond, IA radar 18 mi
- Mason City, IA radar 21 mi
- Lake Mills, IA radar 22 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 23 mi
- Manly, IA radar 24 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 25 mi
- Clarion, IA radar 26 mi