Spencer, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Spencer, Clay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Spencer?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 102 days in the Clay forecast zone and Clay County — the most common reported hazard around Spencer, mostly in May and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (79 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 102 | Jul 2024 | Jun 21, 2024 · 1 death · $26 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Jun 2026 | Sep 8, 2005 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Dec 2025 | Apr 10, 2013 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 41 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $400,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 34 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $23,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 24 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Sep 2018 | — |
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 Clay forecast zone and Clay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Spencer get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Spencer, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Spencer 1 N weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 5.3 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 8.9 | 5.9 | 3.0 | 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 Spencer?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 85 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 Spencer | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 85 mi west-northwest | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 122 mi southeast | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 141 mi south-southwest | 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 Spencer
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Spencer, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 23, 1952, which passed about 22 miles southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 29, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles north of town.
Hail: 432 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 4, 1995.
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 Spencer'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.
Spencer radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Spencer, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 85 miles west-northwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Spencer?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Spencer the lowest scan from KFSD is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Spencer 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 Spencer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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