Plainfield, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plainfield, Bremer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plainfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the Bremer forecast zone and Bremer County — the most common reported hazard around Plainfield, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and high winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 2010 · $350,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 33 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 31 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 21 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | May 2020 | Jul 23, 2010 · $1.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | 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 Bremer forecast zone and Bremer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plainfield get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Plainfield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ionia 2 W weather station 13.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.6 | 9.0 | 8.1 | 9.3 | 5.0 | 2.1 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Plainfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 96 miles 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 Plainfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 96 mi northeast | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 98 mi southwest | 9,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 131 mi southeast | 14,700 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 Plainfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 115 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plainfield, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 20 miles northwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 9, 2024, which touched down about 14 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 410 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 55 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 Plainfield'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.
Plainfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plainfield, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 96 miles northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plainfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plainfield the lowest scan from KARX is about 9,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Plainfield 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 Plainfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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