Primghar, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Primghar, O'Brien County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Primghar?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 68 days in the O'Brien forecast zone and O'Brien County — the most common reported hazard around Primghar, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flooding (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 68 | Jul 2025 | Jun 22, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Dec 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $10 million damage |
| Flooding | 36 | Jul 2024 | Jun 21, 2024 · $2.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 33 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jul 2025 | Jul 22, 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 O'Brien forecast zone and O'Brien County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Primghar get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Primghar, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Primghar weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.5 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 6.7 | 6.2 | 2.4 | 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 Primghar?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 66 miles west-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 Primghar | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 66 mi west-northwest | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 128 mi south-southwest | 14,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 135 mi southeast | 15,300 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 Primghar
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 140 tornadoes within 25 miles of Primghar, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 20 miles north of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2024, which touched down about 3 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 396 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 21, 2004.
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 Primghar'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.
Primghar radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Primghar, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 66 miles west-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 128 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Primghar?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Primghar the lowest scan from KFSD is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Primghar 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 Primghar, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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