Sanborn, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sanborn, O'Brien County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sanborn?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 68 days in the O'Brien forecast zone and O'Brien County — the most common reported hazard around Sanborn, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flooding (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 68 | Jul 2025 | Jun 22, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Dec 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $10 million damage |
| Flooding | 36 | Jul 2024 | Jun 21, 2024 · $2.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 33 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jul 2025 | Jul 22, 2010 · $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 O'Brien forecast zone and O'Brien County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sanborn get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Sanborn, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sanborn weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.5 | 9.5 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 6.3 | 3.2 | 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 Sanborn?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 61 miles west-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 Sanborn | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 61 mi west-northwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 134 mi south-southwest | 15,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 141 mi southeast | 16,400 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 Sanborn
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 135 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sanborn, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 14 miles north of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2024, which touched down about 5 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 350 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 July 9, 2009.
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 Sanborn'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.
Sanborn radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sanborn, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 61 miles west-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sanborn?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sanborn the lowest scan from KFSD is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sanborn 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 Sanborn, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hartley, IA radar 9 mi
- Sheldon, IA radar 9 mi
- Sibley, IA radar 16 mi
- George, IA radar 21 mi
- Alton, IA radar 22 mi
- Orange City, IA radar 24 mi
- Hull, IA radar 24 mi
- Lake Park, IA radar 25 mi
- Spencer, IA radar 25 mi
- Marcus, IA radar 26 mi