Melbourne, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Melbourne, Marshall County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Melbourne?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County — the most common reported hazard around Melbourne, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (60 days) and high winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 87 | Jul 2025 | Jul 11, 2011 · $550,000 damage |
| Flooding | 60 | May 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $250 million damage |
| High winds | 47 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 16 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Apr 2022 | Jun 22, 2007 · $400,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Feb 2023 | Jan 20, 2010 · $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 Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Melbourne get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Melbourne, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Colo weather station 12.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 1.9 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 4.5 | 1.7 | 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 Melbourne?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 miles west-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 Melbourne | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 35 mi west-southwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 132 mi east | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 162 mi northeast | 20,600 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 Melbourne
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 132 tornadoes within 25 miles of Melbourne, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 15 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 25, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles south of town.
Hail: 346 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 49 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 7, 2003.
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 Melbourne'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.
Melbourne radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Melbourne, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 miles west-southwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Melbourne?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Melbourne the lowest scan from KDMX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Melbourne 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 Melbourne, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- State Center, IA radar 6 mi
- Marshalltown, IA radar 12 mi
- Newton, IA radar 17 mi
- Colfax, IA radar 19 mi
- Nevada, IA radar 20 mi
- Conrad, IA radar 23 mi
- Mitchellville, IA radar 23 mi
- Elkhart, IA radar 24 mi
- Grinnell, IA radar 24 mi
- Bondurant, IA radar 25 mi