Peterson, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Peterson, Clay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Peterson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 102 days in the Clay forecast zone and Clay County — the most common reported hazard around Peterson, mostly in May and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (79 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 102 | Jul 2024 | Jun 21, 2024 · 1 death · $26 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Jun 2026 | Sep 8, 2005 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Dec 2025 | Apr 10, 2013 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 41 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $400,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 34 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 24 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Sep 2018 | — |
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 Clay forecast zone and Clay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Peterson get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Peterson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sioux Rapids 4 E weather station 14.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 3.8 | 6.7 | 8.0 | 6.9 | 6.5 | 2.3 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Peterson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 84 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 Peterson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 84 mi northwest | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 117 mi southeast | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 122 mi south-southwest | 13,100 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 Peterson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Peterson, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 23, 1952, which passed about 4 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 385 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 4, 1995.
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 Peterson'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.
Peterson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Peterson, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 84 miles northwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Peterson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Peterson the lowest scan from KFSD is about 7,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Peterson 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 Peterson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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