Johnston, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Johnston, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Johnston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 155 days in the Polk forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around Johnston, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (119 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 155 | Jul 2025 | Jun 17, 2014 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 119 | May 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $50 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Feb 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 47 | Jul 2025 | Jun 30, 2018 · 1 death · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 40 | Jul 2024 | May 8, 2022 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $1.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2025 | Jan 16, 2009 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $2.0 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 Polk forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Johnston get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Johnston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Des Moines Wsfo-Johnston weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.2 | 8.3 | 9.7 | 10.5 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 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 Johnston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 3 miles north. 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 Johnston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 3 mi north | 100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 139 mi west | 16,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 162 mi east | 20,700 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 Johnston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 204 tornadoes within 25 miles of Johnston, 39 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1976, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 4 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 848 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 73 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on May 22, 2004.
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 Johnston'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.
Johnston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Johnston, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 3 miles north. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 139 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Johnston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Johnston the lowest scan from KDMX is about 100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Johnston 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 Johnston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Grimes, IA radar 4 mi
- Urbandale, IA radar 5 mi
- Windsor Heights, IA radar 6 mi
- Polk City, IA radar 6 mi
- Granger, IA radar 7 mi
- Clive, IA radar 7 mi
- Ankeny, IA radar 7 mi
- Des Moines, IA radar 10 mi
- West Des Moines, IA radar 10 mi
- Waukee, IA radar 11 mi