Rock Rapids, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rock Rapids, Lyon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rock Rapids?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 62 days in the Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County — the most common reported hazard around Rock Rapids, mostly in April and June. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 62 | Jul 2024 | Jun 20, 2024 · $13 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | Jul 2025 | Aug 28, 2021 · $52,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Dec 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 23 | Jan 2026 | Oct 29, 1996 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jun 2024 | Jun 12, 2001 · $4.0 million 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 Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rock Rapids get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Rock Rapids, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rock Rapids weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.6 | 8.4 | 6.0 | 7.3 | 5.6 | 3.5 | 0.1 |
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 Rapids?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 30 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 Rock Rapids | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 30 mi west-northwest | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 146 mi south | 17,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 162 mi northeast | 20,600 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 Rapids
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 127 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Rapids, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 11 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 7 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 385 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 19, 1996.
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 Rapids'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 Rapids radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock Rapids, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 30 miles west-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 146 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rock Rapids?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rock Rapids the lowest scan from KFSD is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rock Rapids 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 Rapids, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- George, IA radar 10 mi
- Hull, IA radar 16 mi
- Rock Valley, IA radar 17 mi
- Sibley, IA radar 21 mi
- Sheldon, IA radar 24 mi
- Sioux Center, IA radar 24 mi
- Orange City, IA radar 30 mi
- Sanborn, IA radar 31 mi
- Alton, IA radar 31 mi
- Hawarden, IA radar 33 mi