Larrabee, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Larrabee, Cherokee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Larrabee?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 50 days in the Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County — the most common reported hazard around Larrabee, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and flooding (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | May 2026 | Jul 22, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 39 | Jul 2024 | Mar 13, 2019 · $3.4 million damage |
| Blizzards | 26 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 24 | Dec 2025 | Apr 7, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 23 | Aug 2025 | May 27, 2013 · $500,000 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 Cherokee forecast zone and Cherokee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Larrabee get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Larrabee, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cherokee weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.0 | 9.4 | 7.5 | 8.4 | 5.2 | 2.7 | 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 Larrabee?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 78 miles 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 Larrabee | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 78 mi northwest | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 115 mi south-southwest | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 122 mi southeast | 13,000 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 Larrabee
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Larrabee, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 23, 1952, which crossed near town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 365 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 9, 2011.
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 Larrabee'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.
Larrabee radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Larrabee, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 78 miles northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Larrabee?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Larrabee the lowest scan from KFSD is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Larrabee 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 Larrabee, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Hartley, IA radar 22 mi
- Sanborn, IA radar 23 mi
- Storm Lake, IA radar 23 mi
- Alton, IA radar 25 mi
- Holstein, IA radar 26 mi
- Sheldon, IA radar 27 mi