Kent, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kent, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kent?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 73 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Kent, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and high winds (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Jul 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $550,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 26 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2019 | Sep 19, 2010 · $275,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 14 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jul 2015 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kent?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 66 miles northeast. 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 Kent | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 66 mi northeast | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 102 mi west-northwest | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 149 mi south | 17,900 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 Kent
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 132 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kent, 38 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 24 miles northeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 3 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 377 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 48 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 20, 1961.
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 Kent'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.
Kent radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kent, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 66 miles northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kent?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kent the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kent 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 Kent, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lenox, IA radar 7 mi
- Creston, IA radar 9 mi
- Corning, IA radar 15 mi
- Mount Ayr, IA radar 20 mi
- Bedford, IA radar 24 mi
- Greenfield, IA radar 24 mi
- Villisca, IA radar 27 mi
- Clarinda, IA radar 33 mi
- Osceola, IA radar 36 mi
- Winterset, IA radar 36 mi