Kanawha, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kanawha, Hancock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kanawha?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 59 days in the Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County — the most common reported hazard around Kanawha, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (54 days) and high winds (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 54 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 1998 · $240,000 damage |
| High winds | 46 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 36 | Mar 2025 | Jan 8, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 35 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2013 | Jan 27, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | May 2017 | May 21, 2004 · $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 Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kanawha get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Kanawha, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kanawha weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (9.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.6 | 9.4 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 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 Kanawha?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 83 miles south. 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 Kanawha | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 83 mi south | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 133 mi north | 14,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 144 mi east-northeast | 17,100 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 Kanawha
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 113 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kanawha, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on October 14, 1966, which passed about 11 miles southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 17, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles north of town.
Hail: 292 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on August 26, 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 Kanawha'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.
Kanawha radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kanawha, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 83 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kanawha?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kanawha the lowest scan from KDMX is about 7,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Kanawha 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 Kanawha, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Belmond, IA radar 11 mi
- Britt, IA radar 11 mi
- Clarion, IA radar 14 mi
- Garner, IA radar 15 mi
- Eagle Grove, IA radar 19 mi
- Forest City, IA radar 24 mi
- Algona, IA radar 24 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 25 mi
- Humboldt, IA radar 26 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 30 mi