Indianola, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Indianola, Warren County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Indianola?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Warren forecast zone and Warren County — the most common reported hazard around Indianola, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (69 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 87 | Sep 2025 | Jun 28, 2018 · $150,000 damage |
| Flooding | 69 | May 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $6.2 million damage |
| High winds | 24 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jun 2018 | Jul 28, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $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 Warren forecast zone and Warren County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Indianola get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Indianola, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Indianola 2W weather station 4.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.9 | 6.7 | 8.5 | 8.2 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Indianola?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 27 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 Indianola | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 27 mi north-northwest | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 145 mi west | 17,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 155 mi east | 19,200 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 Indianola
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 165 tornadoes within 25 miles of Indianola, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 8 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 16 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 788 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 73 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 3, 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 Indianola'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.
Indianola radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Indianola, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 27 miles north-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Indianola?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Indianola the lowest scan from KDMX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Indianola 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 Indianola, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Norwalk, IA radar 11 mi
- Carlisle, IA radar 11 mi
- Des Moines, IA radar 15 mi
- Pleasantville, IA radar 15 mi
- Pleasant Hill, IA radar 17 mi
- West Des Moines, IA radar 17 mi
- Windsor Heights, IA radar 18 mi
- Melcher-Dallas, IA radar 19 mi
- Altoona, IA radar 20 mi
- Clive, IA radar 21 mi