Homestead, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Homestead, Iowa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Homestead?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 83 days in the Iowa forecast zone and Iowa County — the most common reported hazard around Homestead, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (63 days) and flooding (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $800,000 damage |
| Flooding | 31 | Jun 2020 | Jun 1, 2008 · $747,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jul 2025 | Jun 22, 2007 · $750,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $890,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 8 | Feb 2016 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 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 Iowa forecast zone and Iowa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Homestead get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Homestead, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Walford 2 Se weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.2 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 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 Homestead?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 67 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 Homestead | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 67 mi east | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 96 mi west | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 147 mi north-northeast | 17,500 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 Homestead
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 126 tornadoes within 25 miles of Homestead, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 13 miles south of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 475 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 7, 2023.
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 Homestead'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.
Homestead radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Homestead, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 67 miles east. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Homestead?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Homestead the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Homestead 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 Homestead, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Walford, IA radar 8 mi
- Williamsburg, IA radar 10 mi
- Marengo, IA radar 10 mi
- Tiffin, IA radar 12 mi
- Fairfax, IA radar 12 mi
- North Liberty, IA radar 13 mi
- Coralville, IA radar 15 mi
- Atkins, IA radar 16 mi
- Ely, IA radar 17 mi
- Cedar Rapids, IA radar 17 mi