Russell, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Russell, Lucas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Russell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 83 days in the Lucas forecast zone and Lucas County — the most common reported hazard around Russell, mostly in May and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 83 | May 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Oct 2024 | Jul 28, 2015 · $550,000 damage |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jun 2021 | Jul 20, 2010 · $1.1 million damage |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 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 Lucas forecast zone and Lucas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Russell get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Russell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chariton 1 E weather station 4.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 7.9 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 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 Russell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 59 miles north-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 Russell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 59 mi north-northwest | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 143 mi east-northeast | 16,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 160 mi south-southwest | 20,200 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 Russell
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Russell, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 7, 2024, which passed about 20 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 281 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on May 20, 1998.
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 Russell'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.
Russell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Russell, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 59 miles north-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 143 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Russell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Russell the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Russell 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 Russell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Chariton, IA radar 6 mi
- Corydon, IA radar 17 mi
- Melcher-Dallas, IA radar 17 mi
- Albia, IA radar 21 mi
- Knoxville, IA radar 24 mi
- Centerville, IA radar 24 mi
- Pleasantville, IA radar 28 mi
- Osceola, IA radar 31 mi
- Indianola, IA radar 33 mi
- Pella, IA radar 33 mi