Monona, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Monona, Clayton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Monona?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 107 days in the Clayton forecast zone and Clayton County — the most common reported hazard around Monona, mostly in May and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (78 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (76 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 107 | Aug 2025 | Jun 7, 2008 · $25 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Feb 2026 | Nov 20, 1996 · $2,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 76 | May 2026 | Jun 22, 2015 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Aug 2025 | Jul 21, 2017 · $12 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $225,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2024 | Jan 4, 1998 · $4,000 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 Clayton forecast zone and Clayton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Monona get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Monona, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Postville weather station 8.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.7 | 8.0 | 12.0 | 10.4 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 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 Monona?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 54 miles north. 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 Monona | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 54 mi north | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 108 mi south-southeast | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 144 mi east | 16,900 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 Monona
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of Monona, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1954, which passed about 7 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 5, 2024, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 163 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 24, 2009.
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 Monona'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.
Monona radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Monona, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 54 miles north. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Monona?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Monona the lowest scan from KARX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Monona 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 Monona, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Postville, IA radar 9 mi
- Elkader, IA radar 13 mi
- Waukon, IA radar 16 mi
- West Union, IA radar 22 mi
- Guttenberg, IA radar 23 mi
- Fayette, IA radar 25 mi
- Calmar, IA radar 26 mi
- Decorah, IA radar 26 mi
- Strawberry Point, IA radar 27 mi
- Oelwein, IA radar 37 mi