Marion, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Marion, Linn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Marion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 152 days in the Linn forecast zone and Linn County — the most common reported hazard around Marion, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (91 days) and flash flooding (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 152 | Jun 2026 | Aug 10, 2020 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 91 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 44 | Jun 2026 | Jun 30, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 25 | May 2025 | Jun 1, 2008 · $750 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2019 | Dec 18, 2016 · 1 death |
| High winds | 17 | Mar 2025 | Jun 10, 2003 · $550,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2019 | Jun 20, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Dec 11, 2007 · 1 death |
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 Linn forecast zone and Linn County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Marion get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Marion, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cedar Rapids #1 weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (9.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 2.2 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 8.3 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 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 Marion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 60 miles east-southeast. 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 Marion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 60 mi east-southeast | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 112 mi west | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 125 mi north | 13,500 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 Marion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 149 tornadoes within 25 miles of Marion, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on August 12, 1974, which passed about 22 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 13 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 470 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on September 20, 2001.
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 Marion'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.
Marion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Marion, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 60 miles east-southeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Marion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Marion the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Marion 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 Marion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Robins, IA radar 5 mi
- Hiawatha, IA radar 5 mi
- Springville, IA radar 7 mi
- Cedar Rapids, IA radar 7 mi
- Palo, IA radar 11 mi
- Central City, IA radar 11 mi
- Ely, IA radar 11 mi
- Mount Vernon, IA radar 12 mi
- Fairfax, IA radar 13 mi
- Lisbon, IA radar 13 mi