Popejoy, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Popejoy, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Popejoy?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 59 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Popejoy, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Aug 2025 | Jun 16, 2014 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 43 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 34 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 32 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Mar 2019 | Jun 19, 2014 · $25 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Feb 2023 | Dec 23, 2009 · $500,000 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 Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Popejoy get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Popejoy, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Popejoy 1S weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (8.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.9 | 6.7 | 8.7 | 6.6 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 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 Popejoy?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 62 miles south-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 Popejoy | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 62 mi south-southwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 141 mi northeast | 16,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 156 mi north | 19,400 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 Popejoy
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 129 tornadoes within 25 miles of Popejoy, 21 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 northeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 18, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 305 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 11, 2023.
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 Popejoy'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.
Popejoy radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Popejoy, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 62 miles south-southwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Popejoy?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Popejoy the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Popejoy 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 Popejoy, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Iowa Falls, IA radar 10 mi
- Hampton, IA radar 15 mi
- Clarion, IA radar 18 mi
- Ackley, IA radar 19 mi
- Belmond, IA radar 20 mi
- Webster City, IA radar 22 mi
- Jewell Junction, IA radar 22 mi
- Eldora, IA radar 23 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 23 mi
- Eagle Grove, IA radar 25 mi