Mediapolis, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mediapolis, Des Moines County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mediapolis?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Des Moines forecast zone and Des Moines County — the most common reported hazard around Mediapolis, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (69 days) and flooding (59 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Sep 11, 2000 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 69 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 59 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $3.8 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Sep 2022 | May 12, 2010 · $4.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $434,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | May 2013 | Aug 10, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $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 Des Moines forecast zone and Des Moines County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mediapolis get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Mediapolis, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gladstone Dam 18 weather station 11.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 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 Mediapolis?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 52 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 Mediapolis | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 52 mi northeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 113 mi east-southeast | 11,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 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 Mediapolis
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mediapolis, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on January 24, 1967, which passed about 22 miles south of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 244 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 8, 2020.
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 Mediapolis'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.
Mediapolis radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mediapolis, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 52 miles northeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mediapolis?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mediapolis the lowest scan from KDVN is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mediapolis 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 Mediapolis, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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