Newell, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Newell, Buena Vista County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Newell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 66 days in the Buena Vista forecast zone and Buena Vista County — the most common reported hazard around Newell, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and flooding (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jun 2026 | Aug 8, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 50 | Jul 2024 | Jun 21, 2024 · $2.4 million damage |
| High winds | 33 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 24 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | May 2023 | May 26, 2013 · $500,000 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 Buena Vista forecast zone and Buena Vista County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Newell get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Newell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sac City weather station 13.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.7 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 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 Newell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 89 miles southeast. 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 Newell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 89 mi southeast | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 110 mi northwest | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 113 mi southwest | 11,600 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 Newell
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Newell, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 28, 1979, which passed about 21 miles east of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 31, 2024, which touched down about 5 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 328 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 4, 1995.
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 Newell'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.
Newell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Newell, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 89 miles southeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Newell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Newell the lowest scan from KDMX is about 8,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Newell 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 Newell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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