Grafton, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Grafton, Worth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Grafton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 53 days in the Worth forecast zone and Worth County — the most common reported hazard around Grafton, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (43 days) and high winds (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Jul 2025 | Sep 2, 2011 · $350,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 35 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flooding | 18 | Jun 2013 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Jun 2024 | Jul 19, 1999 · $1.4 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Nov 2020 | Jan 27, 2013 · $50,000 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 Worth forecast zone and Worth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Grafton get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Grafton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the St Ansgar weather station 8.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.7 | 12.7 | 10.1 | 11.3 | 6.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Grafton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 100 miles east-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 Grafton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 100 mi east-northeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 108 mi north-northwest | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 115 mi south-southwest | 12,000 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 Grafton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Grafton, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 329 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on June 8, 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 Grafton'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.
Grafton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Grafton, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 100 miles east-northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Grafton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Grafton the lowest scan from KARX is about 9,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Grafton 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 Grafton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manly, IA radar 7 mi
- St. Ansgar, IA radar 8 mi
- Northwood, IA radar 11 mi
- Nora Springs, IA radar 13 mi
- Osage, IA radar 13 mi
- Mason City, IA radar 14 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 20 mi
- Lake Mills, IA radar 24 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 25 mi
- Charles City, IA radar 27 mi