Orchard, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Orchard, Mitchell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Orchard?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 66 days in the Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County — the most common reported hazard around Orchard, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (41 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 66 | Nov 2025 | Feb 23, 2007 · $125,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 41 | Jul 2025 | Sep 2, 2011 · $41 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 21 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 20 | Jun 2024 | Jun 7, 2008 · $2.7 million damage |
| High winds | 17 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Aug 2021 | May 19, 2013 · $25 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $70,000 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 Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Orchard get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Orchard, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Osage weather station 4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.9 | 9.6 | 9.9 | 9.2 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Orchard?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 89 miles east-northeast. 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 Orchard | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 89 mi east-northeast | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 114 mi south-southwest | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 119 mi north-northwest | 12,500 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 Orchard
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 123 tornadoes within 25 miles of Orchard, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 5, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 315 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on June 8, 1993.
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 Orchard'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.
Orchard radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Orchard, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 89 miles east-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Orchard?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Orchard the lowest scan from KARX 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 Orchard 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 Orchard, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Osage, IA radar 4 mi
- Charles City, IA radar 12 mi
- St. Ansgar, IA radar 13 mi
- Nora Springs, IA radar 13 mi
- Manly, IA radar 22 mi
- Mason City, IA radar 22 mi
- Nashua, IA radar 22 mi
- New Hampton, IA radar 26 mi
- Northwood, IA radar 27 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 27 mi