Runnells, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Runnells, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Runnells What TALON shows

What weather hits Runnells?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 155 days in the Polk forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around Runnells, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (119 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (58 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	155	Jul 2025	Jun 17, 2014 · 1 death · $1,000 damage
Flooding	119	May 2024	Jun 1, 2008 · $50 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms	58	Feb 2026	Jan 1, 1999 · 1 death · $10,000 damage
Flash flooding	47	Jul 2025	Jun 30, 2018 · 1 death · $1.5 million damage
Lightning casualties & damage	40	Jul 2024	May 8, 2022 · $400,000 damage
High winds	38	Mar 2025	Nov 10, 1998 · $1.3 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill	19	Jan 2025	Jan 16, 2009 · 1 death
Blizzards	15	Mar 2025	Dec 20, 2012 · $2.0 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 Polk forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Runnells?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 24 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 Runnells	View
KDMX Des Moines, IA	24 mi northwest	1,400 ft	Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KDVN Quad Cities, IA	144 mi east	17,000 ft	Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KOAX Omaha, NE	156 mi west	19,400 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 Runnells

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 166 tornadoes within 25 miles of Runnells, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 4 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 16 miles west-northwest of town.

Hail: 824 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 82 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 7, 2003.

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 Runnells'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.

Runnells radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Runnells, IA?

KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 24 miles northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 144 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Runnells?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Runnells the lowest scan from KDMX is about 1,400 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Runnells 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 Runnells, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

All Iowa towns →