Plano, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plano, Appanoose County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plano?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Appanoose forecast zone and Appanoose County — the most common reported hazard around Plano, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (40 days) and flooding (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Oct 2024 | Jul 28, 2015 · $600,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 31 | Sep 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Aug 2021 | Aug 24, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| High winds | 17 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 17 | Dec 2024 | Dec 11, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2024 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Jan 2024 | Dec 9, 2009 · $50,000 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 Appanoose forecast zone and Appanoose County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plano get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Plano, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Centerville weather station 8.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 7.1 | 5.0 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 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 Plano?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 76 miles north-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 Plano | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 76 mi north-northwest | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 141 mi east-northeast | 16,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 149 mi south-southwest | 18,000 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 Plano
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plano, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 30, 2024, which touched down about 13 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 239 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 27, 2008.
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 Plano'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.
Plano radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plano, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 76 miles north-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plano?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plano 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 Plano 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 Plano, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Centerville, IA radar 9 mi
- Corydon, IA radar 14 mi
- Albia, IA radar 23 mi
- Chariton, IA radar 23 mi
- Bloomfield, IA radar 33 mi
- Melcher-Dallas, IA radar 34 mi
- Leon, IA radar 37 mi
- Ottumwa, IA radar 37 mi
- Knoxville, IA radar 39 mi
- Oskaloosa, IA radar 43 mi