Sheldon, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sheldon, O'Brien County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sheldon?
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 Sheldon, 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 Sheldon get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Sheldon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sheldon weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (9.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.7 | 9.6 | 8.7 | 7.2 | 6.6 | 3.3 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Sheldon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 53 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 Sheldon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 53 mi west-northwest | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 131 mi south-southwest | 14,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 147 mi southeast | 17,600 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 Sheldon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 144 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sheldon, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 15 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 378 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 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 Sheldon'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.
Sheldon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sheldon, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 53 miles west-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sheldon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sheldon the lowest scan from KFSD is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sheldon 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 Sheldon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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