Onslow, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Onslow, Jones County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Onslow?
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 Onslow, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (89 days) and flooding (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | Jun 2026 | Jul 22, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 89 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 23 | Sep 2018 | Jul 23, 2010 · $15 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 18 | May 2022 | Jul 23, 2016 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Dec 2021 | Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 10 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | Feb 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 Onslow get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Onslow, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cascade weather station 13.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.8 | 6.9 | 8.3 | 8.8 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 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 Onslow?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 41 miles south-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 Onslow | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 41 mi south-southeast | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 119 mi north | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 139 mi east-northeast | 16,000 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 Onslow
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 135 tornadoes within 25 miles of Onslow, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 16 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 12 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 230 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 Onslow'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.
Onslow radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Onslow, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 41 miles south-southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Onslow?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Onslow the lowest scan from KDVN is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Onslow 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 Onslow, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Monticello, IA radar 12 mi
- Anamosa, IA radar 13 mi
- Cascade, IA radar 13 mi
- Maquoketa, IA radar 18 mi
- Springville, IA radar 22 mi
- Lisbon, IA radar 23 mi
- Farley, IA radar 23 mi
- Epworth, IA radar 24 mi
- Tipton, IA radar 24 mi
- Mount Vernon, IA radar 25 mi