Gray, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Gray, Audubon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Gray?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 54 days in the Audubon forecast zone and Audubon County — the most common reported hazard around Gray, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (41 days) and high winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 54 | Jul 2025 | Jul 10, 2002 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 33 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Aug 2017 | May 22, 2004 · $200,000 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 Audubon forecast zone and Audubon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Gray?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 66 miles east. 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 Gray | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 66 mi east | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 80 mi west-southwest | 6,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 150 mi northwest | 18,100 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 Gray
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 104 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gray, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F4 on May 27, 1995, which passed about 18 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 291 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 26, 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 Gray'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.
Gray radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Gray, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 66 miles east. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 80 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Gray?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gray the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Gray 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 Gray, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manning, IA radar 6 mi
- Audubon, IA radar 9 mi
- Coon Rapids, IA radar 16 mi
- Carroll, IA radar 17 mi
- Glidden, IA radar 20 mi
- Harlan, IA radar 22 mi
- Denison, IA radar 22 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 28 mi
- Avoca, IA radar 31 mi
- Atlantic, IA radar 31 mi