Hiawatha, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hiawatha, Linn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hiawatha?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 152 days in the Linn forecast zone and Linn County — the most common reported hazard around Hiawatha, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (91 days) and flash flooding (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 152 | Jun 2026 | Aug 10, 2020 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 91 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jun 2026 | Jun 30, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 25 | May 2025 | Jun 1, 2008 · $750 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2019 | Dec 18, 2016 · 1 death |
| High winds | 17 | Mar 2025 | Jun 10, 2003 · $550,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2019 | Jun 20, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Dec 11, 2007 · 1 death |
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 Linn forecast zone and Linn County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hiawatha get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Hiawatha, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cedar Rapids #1 weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 2.2 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 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 Hiawatha?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 65 miles east-southeast. 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 Hiawatha | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 65 mi east-southeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 107 mi west-southwest | 10,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 125 mi north-northeast | 13,500 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 Hiawatha
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 153 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hiawatha, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on August 26, 1965, which passed about 25 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 477 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 38 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on September 20, 2001.
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 Hiawatha'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.
Hiawatha radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hiawatha, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 65 miles east-southeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hiawatha?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hiawatha the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Robins, IA radar 2 mi
- Marion, IA radar 5 mi
- Palo, IA radar 6 mi
- Cedar Rapids, IA radar 6 mi
- Atkins, IA radar 10 mi
- Center Point, IA radar 10 mi
- Fairfax, IA radar 10 mi
- Springville, IA radar 13 mi
- Central City, IA radar 13 mi
- Ely, IA radar 13 mi