Leon, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Leon, Decatur County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Leon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 59 days in the Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County — the most common reported hazard around Leon, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (47 days) and flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Sep 2025 | Jun 19, 2011 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Sep 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 20 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2025 | Jun 3, 2014 · $450,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2024 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 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 Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Leon get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Leon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Leon 6 Ese weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.5 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 4.9 | 0.1 | 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 Leon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 68 miles north. 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 Leon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 68 mi north | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 136 mi south-southwest | 15,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 142 mi west-northwest | 16,600 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 Leon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Leon, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 10 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 6, 2024, which passed about 16 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 257 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 2005.
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 Leon'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.
Leon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Leon, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 68 miles north. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Leon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Leon the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Leon 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 Leon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Creston, IA radar 39 mi
- Melcher-Dallas, IA radar 43 mi
- Lenox, IA radar 43 mi
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- Winterset, IA radar 44 mi