Larchwood, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Larchwood, Lyon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Larchwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 62 days in the Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County — the most common reported hazard around Larchwood, mostly in April and June. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 62 | Jul 2024 | Jun 20, 2024 · $13 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | Jul 2025 | Aug 28, 2021 · $52,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Dec 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 23 | Jan 2026 | Oct 29, 1996 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jun 2024 | Jun 12, 2001 · $4.0 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 Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Larchwood get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Larchwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Canton weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Larchwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 17 miles west-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 Larchwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 17 mi west-northwest | 900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 148 mi south | 17,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 169 mi northwest | 22,100 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 Larchwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 127 tornadoes within 25 miles of Larchwood, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 24 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 521 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 48 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 28, 2021.
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 Larchwood'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.
Larchwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Larchwood, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 17 miles west-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 148 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Larchwood?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Larchwood the lowest scan from KFSD is about 900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Larchwood 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 Larchwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rock Rapids, IA radar 14 mi
- Rock Valley, IA radar 19 mi
- George, IA radar 23 mi
- Hull, IA radar 24 mi
- Sioux Center, IA radar 29 mi
- Hawarden, IA radar 31 mi
- Sibley, IA radar 35 mi
- Sheldon, IA radar 35 mi
- Orange City, IA radar 37 mi
- Alton, IA radar 39 mi