Jamaica, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Jamaica, Guthrie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Jamaica?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 76 days in the Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County — the most common reported hazard around Jamaica, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 76 | Jul 2025 | Jul 10, 2002 · $2.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 38 | Jun 2022 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | May 2024 | May 24, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $1.0 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 Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Jamaica get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Jamaica, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jamaica 3.2 S weather station 3.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 1.7 | 8.3 | 7.0 | 11.2 | 2.6 | 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 Jamaica?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 31 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 Jamaica | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 31 mi east-southeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 113 mi west-southwest | 11,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 172 mi northwest | 22,700 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 Jamaica
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 123 tornadoes within 25 miles of Jamaica, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1976, which passed about 23 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2024, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 422 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 2, 1999.
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 Jamaica'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.
Jamaica radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Jamaica, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 31 miles east-southeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Jamaica?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Jamaica the lowest scan from KDMX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Jamaica 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 Jamaica, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Perry, IA radar 11 mi
- Panora, IA radar 11 mi
- Jefferson, IA radar 12 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 15 mi
- Coon Rapids, IA radar 19 mi
- Ogden, IA radar 20 mi
- Woodward, IA radar 20 mi
- Dallas Center, IA radar 20 mi
- Adel, IA radar 22 mi
- Stuart, IA radar 24 mi