Hawarden, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hawarden, Sioux County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hawarden?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 94 days in the Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County — the most common reported hazard around Hawarden, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (78 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | Jun 2026 | Jul 24, 2005 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 78 | Jul 2025 | Jun 20, 2024 · 1 death · $6.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Dec 2025 | Jan 14, 2007 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 32 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 29 | Mar 2026 | Jan 14, 2021 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 28 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Jun 2026 | Aug 5, 2023 · $1.5 million 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 Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hawarden get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Hawarden, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hawarden weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 3.1 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 6.4 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Hawarden?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 42 miles north-northwest. 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 Hawarden | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 42 mi north-northwest | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 116 mi south | 12,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 166 mi east-southeast | 21,400 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 Hawarden
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 129 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hawarden, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1967, which passed about 9 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2025, which passed about 21 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 390 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 19, 1996.
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 Hawarden'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.
Hawarden radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hawarden, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 42 miles north-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hawarden?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hawarden the lowest scan from KFSD is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hawarden 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 Hawarden, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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