Owasa, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Owasa, Hardin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Owasa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 80 days in the Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County — the most common reported hazard around Owasa, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Aug 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 36 | Dec 2015 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 27 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | May 2024 | Jun 22, 2007 · $350,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Feb 2023 | Jan 20, 2010 · $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 Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Owasa get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Owasa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Iowa Falls weather station 6.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.6 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 4.5 | 1.3 | 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 Owasa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 55 miles south-southwest. 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 Owasa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 55 mi south-southwest | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 140 mi northeast | 16,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 146 mi east-southeast | 17,400 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 Owasa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 133 tornadoes within 25 miles of Owasa, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 24 miles north of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 18, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 288 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 9, 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 Owasa'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.
Owasa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Owasa, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 55 miles south-southwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Owasa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Owasa the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Owasa 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 Owasa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Iowa Falls, IA radar 7 mi
- Eldora, IA radar 7 mi
- Ackley, IA radar 11 mi
- Aplington, IA radar 19 mi
- Hampton, IA radar 21 mi
- Conrad, IA radar 22 mi
- Grundy Center, IA radar 22 mi
- Jewell Junction, IA radar 24 mi
- Parkersburg, IA radar 24 mi
- Roland, IA radar 24 mi