Kensett, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kensett, Worth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kensett?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 53 days in the Worth forecast zone and Worth County — the most common reported hazard around Kensett, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (43 days) and high winds (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Jul 2025 | Sep 2, 2011 · $350,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 35 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flooding | 18 | Jun 2013 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Jun 2024 | Jul 19, 1999 · $1.4 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Nov 2020 | Jan 27, 2013 · $50,000 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 Worth forecast zone and Worth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kensett get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Kensett, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Northwood weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.6 | 7.6 | 10.9 | 9.3 | 6.2 | 3.3 | 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 Kensett?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 105 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 Kensett | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 105 mi north | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 106 mi east-northeast | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 115 mi south-southwest | 11,900 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 Kensett
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kensett, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1967, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 333 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on June 8, 1993.
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 Kensett'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.
Kensett radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kensett, IA?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 105 miles north. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kensett?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kensett the lowest scan from KMPX is about 10,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Kensett 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 Kensett, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Manly, IA radar 5 mi
- Northwood, IA radar 6 mi
- Mason City, IA radar 14 mi
- St. Ansgar, IA radar 15 mi
- Lake Mills, IA radar 17 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 17 mi
- Nora Springs, IA radar 18 mi
- Osage, IA radar 21 mi
- Forest City, IA radar 22 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 26 mi