Kirkman, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kirkman, Shelby County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kirkman?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 65 days in the Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County — the most common reported hazard around Kirkman, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 65 | Aug 2025 | Jun 9, 1999 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Feb 2026 | Oct 25, 1997 · $1.6 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 45 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 22 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2010 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2014 | Jun 30, 2014 · $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 Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kirkman get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Kirkman, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Harlan weather station 6.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 2.2 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 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 Kirkman?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 64 miles west-southwest. 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 Kirkman | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 64 mi west-southwest | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 80 mi east | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 148 mi north-northwest | 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 Kirkman
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kirkman, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 26, 1976, which passed about 21 miles southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 294 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 26, 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 Kirkman'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.
Kirkman radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kirkman, IA?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 64 miles west-southwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 80 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kirkman?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kirkman the lowest scan from KOAX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kirkman 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 Kirkman, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Harlan, IA radar 6 mi
- Manning, IA radar 16 mi
- Avoca, IA radar 17 mi
- Audubon, IA radar 17 mi
- Dunlap, IA radar 19 mi
- Denison, IA radar 20 mi
- Woodbine, IA radar 23 mi
- Atlantic, IA radar 26 mi
- Logan, IA radar 28 mi
- Oakland, IA radar 30 mi