Lawler, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lawler, Chickasaw County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lawler?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 60 days in the Chickasaw forecast zone and Chickasaw County — the most common reported hazard around Lawler, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (50 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Feb 2026 | Feb 23, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | Aug 2024 | Jun 29, 2014 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 32 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Aug 2025 | Aug 24, 2016 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 20 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $150,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Aug 2025 | Aug 28, 2021 · $3.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $33,000 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 Chickasaw forecast zone and Chickasaw County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lawler get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Lawler, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the New Hampton weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.9 | 7.9 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 6.2 | 1.4 | 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 Lawler?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 71 miles 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 Lawler | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 71 mi northeast | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 123 mi southwest | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 129 mi southeast | 14,300 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 Lawler
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lawler, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 24 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on April 12, 2022, which passed about 22 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 269 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 24, 2009.
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 Lawler'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.
Lawler radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lawler, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 71 miles northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lawler?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lawler the lowest scan from KARX is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lawler 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 Lawler, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Tripoli, IA radar 19 mi
- Cresco, IA radar 21 mi
- Nashua, IA radar 21 mi
- Fayette, IA radar 24 mi
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