Rowan, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rowan, Wright County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rowan?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Wright forecast zone and Wright County — the most common reported hazard around Rowan, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and high winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Aug 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 48 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 40 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 34 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · 2 deaths · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2025 | Jun 8, 2008 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Jan 2023 | 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 Wright forecast zone and Wright County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rowan get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Rowan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clarion weather station 9.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.9 | 5.9 | 8.9 | 6.2 | 5.7 | 1.4 | 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 Rowan?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 70 miles south. 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 Rowan | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 70 mi south | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 140 mi east-northeast | 16,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 146 mi north | 17,300 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 Rowan
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rowan, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 22 miles east of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 24, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 281 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on August 26, 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 Rowan'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.
Rowan radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rowan, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 70 miles south. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rowan?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rowan the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rowan 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 Rowan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Belmond, IA radar 8 mi
- Clarion, IA radar 9 mi
- Hampton, IA radar 18 mi
- Eagle Grove, IA radar 19 mi
- Sheffield, IA radar 20 mi
- Iowa Falls, IA radar 21 mi
- Webster City, IA radar 24 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 25 mi
- Garner, IA radar 25 mi
- Britt, IA radar 28 mi