Packwood, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Packwood, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Packwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 64 days in the Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around Packwood, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (57 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Nov 2025 | Jan 4, 2004 · $5,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Apr 2026 | Aug 3, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jun 2026 | Aug 13, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $53,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | May 2019 | Aug 13, 2010 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Mar 2026 | — |
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 Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Packwood get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Packwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fairfield weather station 10.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 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 Packwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 85 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 Packwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 85 mi east-northeast | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 95 mi west-northwest | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 159 mi east-southeast | 20,000 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 Packwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 87 tornadoes within 25 miles of Packwood, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 18 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 24, 2024, which passed about 21 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 233 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 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 Packwood'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.
Packwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Packwood, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 85 miles east-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Packwood?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Packwood the lowest scan from KDVN is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Packwood 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 Packwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fairfield, IA radar 11 mi
- Sigourney, IA radar 15 mi
- Ottumwa, IA radar 19 mi
- Washington, IA radar 23 mi
- North English, IA radar 27 mi
- Wellman, IA radar 27 mi
- Mount Pleasant, IA radar 30 mi
- Oskaloosa, IA radar 31 mi
- Kalona, IA radar 31 mi
- Bloomfield, IA radar 32 mi