Lincoln, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lincoln, Tama County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lincoln?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Tama forecast zone and Tama County — the most common reported hazard around Lincoln, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Jul 2025 | Jun 29, 1998 · $1.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 35 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Feb 2023 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Jan 2024 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | May 2024 | May 29, 2013 · $450,000 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 Tama forecast zone and Tama County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lincoln get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Lincoln, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Grundy Ctr weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.1 | 9.5 | 9.2 | 5.9 | 3.9 | 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 Lincoln?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 64 miles southwest. 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 Lincoln | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 64 mi southwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 117 mi east-southeast | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 132 mi northeast | 14,800 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 Lincoln
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 140 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lincoln, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF5 on May 25, 2008, which passed about 21 miles north of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 18, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 347 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 47 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 16, 2007.
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 Lincoln'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.
Lincoln radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lincoln, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 64 miles southwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lincoln?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lincoln the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lincoln 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 Lincoln, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Reinbeck, IA radar 6 mi
- Grundy Center, IA radar 8 mi
- Conrad, IA radar 10 mi
- Traer, IA radar 13 mi
- Dike, IA radar 14 mi
- Hudson, IA radar 17 mi
- Marshalltown, IA radar 19 mi
- Toledo, IA radar 20 mi
- Dysart, IA radar 21 mi
- Tama, IA radar 21 mi