La Motte, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for La Motte, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits La Motte?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 84 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around La Motte, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (79 days) and flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Nov 2025 | Nov 14, 1996 · 1 death · $80,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2016 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 26 | Jul 2024 | Jul 24, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Apr 2026 | Jul 27, 2011 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Dec 2021 | Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $66,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | Mar 2026 | — |
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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does La Motte get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to La Motte, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dubuque Rgnl Ap weather station 8.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.8 | 10.3 | 10.7 | 10.6 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 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 La Motte?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 47 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 La Motte | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 47 mi south | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 109 mi north-northwest | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 115 mi east-northeast | 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 La Motte
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of La Motte, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 12 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 16 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 229 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 19, 1994.
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 La Motte'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.
La Motte radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to La Motte, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 47 miles south. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in La Motte?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over La Motte the lowest scan from KDVN is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for La Motte 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 La Motte, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bellevue, IA radar 10 mi
- Dubuque, IA radar 15 mi
- Peosta, IA radar 15 mi
- Maquoketa, IA radar 16 mi
- Asbury, IA radar 17 mi
- Epworth, IA radar 19 mi
- Cascade, IA radar 20 mi
- Farley, IA radar 22 mi
- Dyersville, IA radar 28 mi
- Monticello, IA radar 29 mi