Prescott, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Prescott, Adams County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Prescott?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Adams forecast zone and Adams County — the most common reported hazard around Prescott, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and high winds (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jul 2023 | Sep 7, 2001 · $275,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2024 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 27 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2019 | May 11, 2011 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Jul 2015 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 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 Adams forecast zone and Adams County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Prescott get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Prescott, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Corning weather station 8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.6 | 6.9 | 8.2 | 6.2 | 3.3 | 1.2 | 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 Prescott?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 67 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 Prescott | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 67 mi northeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 94 mi west-northwest | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 154 mi south | 19,000 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 Prescott
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 139 tornadoes within 25 miles of Prescott, 40 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on May 21, 2024, which passed about 6 miles northwest of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 11, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 354 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 44 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 20, 1961.
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 Prescott'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.
Prescott radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Prescott, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 67 miles northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Prescott?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Prescott the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Prescott 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 Prescott, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Corning, IA radar 7 mi
- Lenox, IA radar 10 mi
- Creston, IA radar 13 mi
- Villisca, IA radar 20 mi
- Greenfield, IA radar 21 mi
- Bedford, IA radar 25 mi
- Mount Ayr, IA radar 29 mi
- Clarinda, IA radar 30 mi
- Red Oak, IA radar 32 mi
- Atlantic, IA radar 33 mi