Rock Falls, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rock Falls, Cerro Gordo County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rock Falls?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 84 days in the Cerro Gordo forecast zone and Cerro Gordo County — the most common reported hazard around Rock Falls, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 1998 · $275,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 53 | Aug 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 47 | Jun 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 35 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2018 | Jul 19, 1999 · $1.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2013 | 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 Cerro Gordo forecast zone and Cerro Gordo County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rock Falls get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Rock Falls, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mason City Muni Ap weather station 12.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.0 | 9.4 | 11.3 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rock Falls?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 104 miles east-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 Rock Falls | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 104 mi east-northeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 107 mi south-southwest | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 116 mi north-northwest | 12,100 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 Rock Falls
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Falls, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 348 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on June 8, 1993.
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 Rock Falls'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.
Rock Falls radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock Falls, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 104 miles east-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rock Falls?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rock Falls the lowest scan from KARX is about 10,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rock Falls 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 Rock Falls, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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