Ossian, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ossian, Winneshiek County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ossian?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 73 days in the Winneshiek forecast zone and Winneshiek County — the most common reported hazard around Ossian, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (69 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 73 | Feb 2026 | Feb 20, 2011 · $7,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Jul 2025 | Jul 23, 2022 · $840,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 27 | Aug 2025 | Jun 8, 2008 · $5.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Aug 2025 | Aug 23, 2016 · $3.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 14 | Dec 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $75,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $35,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $220,000 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 Winneshiek forecast zone and Winneshiek County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ossian get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Ossian, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Decorah weather station 11 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 2.4 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 8.3 | 5.7 | 1.7 | 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 Ossian?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 55 miles north-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 Ossian | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 55 mi north-northeast | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 122 mi south-southeast | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 140 mi southwest | 16,200 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 Ossian
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 63 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ossian, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 21 miles south-southwest of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 5, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 213 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 24, 2009.
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 Ossian'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.
Ossian radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ossian, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 55 miles north-northeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ossian?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ossian the lowest scan from KARX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ossian 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 Ossian, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Calmar, IA radar 6 mi
- Decorah, IA radar 11 mi
- Postville, IA radar 11 mi
- West Union, IA radar 13 mi
- Waukon, IA radar 17 mi
- Monona, IA radar 20 mi
- Fayette, IA radar 21 mi
- Cresco, IA radar 24 mi
- Sumner, IA radar 27 mi
- Elkader, IA radar 27 mi