Parkersburg, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Parkersburg, Butler County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Parkersburg?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 79 days in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County — the most common reported hazard around Parkersburg, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 79 | Jun 2024 | May 26, 2013 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Aug 2025 | May 17, 2017 · 1 death · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | May 2024 | Sep 21, 2016 · $700,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 23 | Mar 2025 | Jan 18, 1996 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Feb 2023 | Feb 8, 2001 · $75,000 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 Butler forecast zone and Butler County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Parkersburg get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Parkersburg, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Parkersburg weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.0 | 7.4 | 8.9 | 7.2 | 4.2 | 1.6 | 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 Parkersburg?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 76 miles 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 Parkersburg | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 76 mi southwest | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 118 mi northeast | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 131 mi east-southeast | 14,600 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 Parkersburg
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 124 tornadoes within 25 miles of Parkersburg, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 18, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 402 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 16, 2007.
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 Parkersburg'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.
Parkersburg radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Parkersburg, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 76 miles southwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Parkersburg?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Parkersburg the lowest scan from KDMX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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