Monroe, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Monroe, Jasper County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Monroe?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 75 days in the Jasper forecast zone and Jasper County — the most common reported hazard around Monroe, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (52 days) and flooding (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Mar 2025 | Mar 9, 2002 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 48 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 31 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 14 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Mar 2010 | Mar 6, 2010 · $50,000 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 Jasper forecast zone and Jasper County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Monroe get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Monroe, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Newton weather station 13.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.6 | 6.3 | 9.2 | 6.0 | 4.5 | 0.8 | 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 Monroe?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 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 Monroe | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 35 mi west-northwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 131 mi east | 14,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 170 mi west | 22,200 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 Monroe
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 132 tornadoes within 25 miles of Monroe, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 25, 2024, which touched down about 14 miles north of town.
Hail: 426 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 53 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on May 8, 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 Monroe'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.
Monroe radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Monroe, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 miles west-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Monroe?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Monroe the lowest scan from KDMX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Monroe 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 Monroe, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Prairie City, IA radar 9 mi
- Pella, IA radar 12 mi
- Pleasantville, IA radar 13 mi
- Newton, IA radar 13 mi
- Colfax, IA radar 13 mi
- Knoxville, IA radar 14 mi
- Mitchellville, IA radar 17 mi
- Carlisle, IA radar 20 mi
- Melcher-Dallas, IA radar 21 mi
- Altoona, IA radar 21 mi