Olin, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Olin, Jones County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for OlinWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Olin?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Jones forecast zone and Jones County — the most common reported hazard around Olin, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (89 days) and flooding (23 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds104Jun 2026Jul 22, 2011 · $1.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms89Nov 2025Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage
Flooding23Sep 2018Jul 23, 2010 · $15 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill18Jan 2019—
Flash flooding18May 2022Jul 23, 2016 · $2.0 million damage
High winds13Dec 2021Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage
Blizzards10Mar 2026Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet10Dec 2024Feb 24, 2007 · $208,000 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 Jones forecast zone and Jones County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Olin get?

A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Olin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lowden weather station 14.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.72.99.111.28.06.21.70.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Olin?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 39 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over OlinView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		39 mi southeast2,600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KARX
La Crosse, WI		126 mi north13,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		134 mi west15,200 ftLimited — 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 Olin

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 145 tornadoes within 25 miles of Olin, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 14 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 284 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 18, 1998.

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 Olin'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.

Olin radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Olin, IA?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 39 miles southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Olin?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Olin the lowest scan from KDVN is about 2,600 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Olin 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 Olin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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