Lewis, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lewis, Cass County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lewis?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Cass forecast zone and Cass County — the most common reported hazard around Lewis, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jul 2025 | Jun 21, 1997 · $1.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Jan 2024 | Feb 1, 2015 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 23 | Sep 2019 | Jun 14, 1998 · $3.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 14 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $750,000 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 Cass forecast zone and Cass County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lewis get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Lewis, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Atlantic 1 Ne weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 2.0 | 7.7 | 5.1 | 7.9 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 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 Lewis?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 67 miles west. 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 Lewis | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 67 mi west | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 76 mi east-northeast | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 171 mi south-southwest | 22,400 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 Lewis
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 120 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lewis, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 27, 1953, which touched down about 22 miles east-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 8 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 323 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 52 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 18, 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 Lewis'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.
Lewis radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lewis, IA?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 67 miles west. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lewis?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lewis the lowest scan from KOAX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lewis 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 Lewis, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Treynor, IA radar 28 mi
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