Ottumwa, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ottumwa, Wapello County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ottumwa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 95 days in the Wapello forecast zone and Wapello County — the most common reported hazard around Ottumwa, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (76 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 95 | Jul 2025 | Jun 21, 1997 · $110,000 damage |
| Flooding | 76 | Jul 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $605,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jun 2021 | Jun 25, 2000 · $600,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 17 | Dec 2024 | Jan 20, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 10 | Jan 2024 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 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 Wapello forecast zone and Wapello County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ottumwa get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Ottumwa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ottumwa Industrial Ap weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 7.1 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 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 Ottumwa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 83 miles northwest. 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 Ottumwa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 83 mi northwest | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 104 mi east-northeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 173 mi east-southeast | 22,900 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 Ottumwa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ottumwa, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 14 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on November 5, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 278 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 28, 1990.
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 Ottumwa'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.
Ottumwa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ottumwa, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 83 miles northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ottumwa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ottumwa the lowest scan from KDMX is about 7,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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