Lakota, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lakota, Kossuth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lakota?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 84 days in the Kossuth forecast zone and Kossuth County — the most common reported hazard around Lakota, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (61 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (61 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jul 2025 | May 15, 1998 · $550,000 damage |
| Flooding | 61 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $40 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 49 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 39 | Mar 2025 | Jan 25, 2010 · 1 death · $75,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2024 | Jul 9, 2000 · $800,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Jan 2023 | Feb 20, 2011 · $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 Kossuth forecast zone and Kossuth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lakota get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Lakota, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Swea City 5N weather station 11.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 3.1 | 8.3 | 10.9 | 8.5 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 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 Lakota?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 105 miles north-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 Lakota | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 105 mi north-northeast | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 115 mi south | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 133 mi west | 14,900 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 Lakota
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 94 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lakota, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on August 29, 1964, which passed about 18 miles south of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 17, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 284 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 22, 1997.
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 Lakota'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.
Lakota radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lakota, IA?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 105 miles north-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lakota?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lakota the lowest scan from KMPX is about 10,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lakota 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 Lakota, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Britt, IA radar 24 mi
- Forest City, IA radar 25 mi
- Lake Mills, IA radar 28 mi
- Garner, IA radar 31 mi
- Emmetsburg, IA radar 35 mi
- Estherville, IA radar 37 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 40 mi
- Belmond, IA radar 44 mi
- Northwood, IA radar 44 mi