Hartwick, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hartwick, Poweshiek County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hartwick?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 57 days in the Poweshiek forecast zone and Poweshiek County — the most common reported hazard around Hartwick, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (47 days) and high winds (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Jul 2025 | Aug 10, 2020 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Feb 2025 | Jan 26, 1996 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 28 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 23 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Jan 2024 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2024 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Sep 2018 | Sep 5, 2018 · $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 Poweshiek forecast zone and Poweshiek County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hartwick get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Hartwick, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brooklyn weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 1.1 | 6.2 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 3.9 | 0.6 | 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 Hartwick?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 71 miles west. 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 Hartwick | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 71 mi west | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 92 mi east | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 152 mi north-northeast | 18,600 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 Hartwick
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hartwick, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on August 12, 1974, which touched down about 9 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 18 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 261 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.75-inch hail on August 16, 1987.
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 Hartwick'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.
Hartwick radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hartwick, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 71 miles west. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hartwick?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hartwick the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hartwick 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 Hartwick, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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