Melvin, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Melvin, Osceola County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Melvin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 51 days in the Osceola forecast zone and Osceola County — the most common reported hazard around Melvin, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Nov 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $10 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2001 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 35 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $3.6 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2022 | Apr 10, 2019 · $112,000 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 Osceola forecast zone and Osceola County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Melvin get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Melvin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sanborn weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.5 | 9.5 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 6.3 | 3.2 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Melvin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 60 miles west-northwest. 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 Melvin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 60 mi west-northwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 141 mi south-southwest | 16,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 144 mi southeast | 17,000 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 Melvin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 153 tornadoes within 25 miles of Melvin, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 8 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2024, which touched down about 13 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 403 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 47 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 21, 2004.
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 Melvin'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.
Melvin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Melvin, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 60 miles west-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Melvin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Melvin the lowest scan from KFSD is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Melvin 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 Melvin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sanborn, IA radar 8 mi
- Hartley, IA radar 10 mi
- Sibley, IA radar 10 mi
- Sheldon, IA radar 14 mi
- Lake Park, IA radar 18 mi
- George, IA radar 20 mi
- Milford, IA radar 24 mi
- Arnolds Park, IA radar 25 mi
- Spencer, IA radar 25 mi
- Spirit Lake, IA radar 26 mi