Rock Valley, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rock Valley, Sioux County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rock Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 94 days in the Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County — the most common reported hazard around Rock Valley, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (78 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | Jun 2026 | Jul 24, 2005 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 78 | Jul 2025 | Jun 20, 2024 · 1 death · $6.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Dec 2025 | Jan 14, 2007 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 32 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 29 | Mar 2026 | Jan 14, 2021 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 28 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Jun 2026 | Aug 5, 2023 · $1.5 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 Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rock Valley get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Rock Valley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rock Valley weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (8.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 3.7 | 8.5 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 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 Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 35 miles 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 Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 35 mi northwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 130 mi south | 14,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 166 mi southeast | 21,400 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 Rock Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 141 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Valley, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 24 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 369 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 28, 2021.
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 Valley'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 Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock Valley, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 35 miles northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 130 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rock Valley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rock Valley the lowest scan from KFSD is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rock Valley 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 Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hull, IA radar 8 mi
- Sioux Center, IA radar 11 mi
- Rock Rapids, IA radar 17 mi
- Hawarden, IA radar 17 mi
- George, IA radar 17 mi
- Orange City, IA radar 18 mi
- Alton, IA radar 20 mi
- Sheldon, IA radar 23 mi
- Akron, IA radar 29 mi
- Le Mars, IA radar 30 mi