Lacona, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lacona, Warren County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lacona?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Warren forecast zone and Warren County — the most common reported hazard around Lacona, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (69 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 87 | Sep 2025 | Jun 28, 2018 · $150,000 damage |
| Flooding | 69 | May 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $6.2 million damage |
| High winds | 24 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jun 2018 | Jul 28, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $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 Warren forecast zone and Warren County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lacona get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Lacona, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chariton 1 E weather station 13.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 7.9 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 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 Lacona?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 41 miles north-northwest. 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 Lacona | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 41 mi north-northwest | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 148 mi east-northeast | 17,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 155 mi west | 19,200 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 Lacona
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lacona, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 23 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 434 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 46 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 4, 2023.
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 Lacona'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.
Lacona radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lacona, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 41 miles north-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 148 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lacona?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lacona the lowest scan from KDMX is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lacona 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 Lacona, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Melcher-Dallas, IA radar 8 mi
- Chariton, IA radar 13 mi
- Pleasantville, IA radar 15 mi
- Indianola, IA radar 15 mi
- Knoxville, IA radar 17 mi
- Carlisle, IA radar 23 mi
- Osceola, IA radar 23 mi
- Norwalk, IA radar 26 mi
- Monroe, IA radar 27 mi
- Pella, IA radar 28 mi