Lake Panorama, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lake Panorama, Guthrie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lake Panorama?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 76 days in the Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County — the most common reported hazard around Lake Panorama, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 76 | Jul 2025 | Jul 10, 2002 · $2.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 38 | Jun 2022 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | May 2024 | May 24, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · $1.0 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 Guthrie forecast zone and Guthrie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lake Panorama get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Lake Panorama, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jamaica 3.2 S weather station 7.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 1.7 | 8.3 | 7.0 | 11.2 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Lake Panorama?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 miles east. 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 Lake Panorama | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 35 mi east | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 105 mi west-southwest | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 175 mi northwest | 23,400 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 Lake Panorama
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 131 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lake Panorama, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 27, 1953, which touched down about 24 miles southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on May 24, 2024, which passed about 24 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 420 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 2, 1999.
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 Lake Panorama'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.
Lake Panorama radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lake Panorama, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 miles east. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lake Panorama?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lake Panorama the lowest scan from KDMX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lake Panorama 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 Lake Panorama, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Panora, IA radar 3 mi
- Guthrie Center, IA radar 6 mi
- Stuart, IA radar 16 mi
- Coon Rapids, IA radar 18 mi
- Perry, IA radar 18 mi
- Jefferson, IA radar 21 mi
- Earlham, IA radar 21 mi
- Adel, IA radar 22 mi
- Dallas Center, IA radar 22 mi
- Woodward, IA radar 27 mi