Roland, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Roland, Story County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Roland?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 115 days in the Story forecast zone and Story County — the most common reported hazard around Roland, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (57 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 115 | Sep 2025 | Jul 5, 2012 · $605,000 damage |
| Flooding | 57 | May 2024 | Aug 11, 2010 · $50 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 45 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 30 | Apr 2022 | Jun 16, 1996 · $1.6 million damage |
| Blizzards | 20 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Aug 2021 | Sep 1, 2018 · $1.0 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 Story forecast zone and Story County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Roland get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Roland, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Zearing weather station 9.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.8 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 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 Roland?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 32 miles south-southwest. 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 Roland | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 32 mi south-southwest | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 155 mi east-southeast | 19,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 159 mi west-southwest | 19,900 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 Roland
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 173 tornadoes within 25 miles of Roland, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1976, which passed about 5 miles west of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 19, 2025, which passed about 9 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 458 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 65 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on May 22, 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 Roland'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.
Roland radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Roland, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 32 miles south-southwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 155 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Roland?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Roland the lowest scan from KDMX is about 2,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Roland 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 Roland, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Story City, IA radar 5 mi
- Gilbert, IA radar 8 mi
- Nevada, IA radar 10 mi
- Ames, IA radar 11 mi
- Jewell Junction, IA radar 12 mi
- Huxley, IA radar 19 mi
- State Center, IA radar 20 mi
- Boone, IA radar 21 mi
- Slater, IA radar 22 mi
- Eldora, IA radar 25 mi