St. Donatus, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for St. Donatus, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits St. Donatus?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 84 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around St. Donatus, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (79 days) and flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Nov 2025 | Nov 14, 1996 · 1 death · $80,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2016 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 26 | Jul 2024 | Jul 24, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Apr 2026 | Jul 27, 2011 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Dec 2021 | Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $66,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | Mar 2026 | — |
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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does St. Donatus get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to St. Donatus, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Galena weather station 8.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.0 | 9.5 | 10.3 | 9.0 | 5.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover St. Donatus?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 52 miles south. 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 St. Donatus | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 52 mi south | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 106 mi north-northwest | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 110 mi east-northeast | 11,000 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 St. Donatus
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of St. Donatus, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 14 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 232 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 19, 1994.
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 St. Donatus'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.
St. Donatus radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to St. Donatus, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 52 miles south. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in St. Donatus?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over St. Donatus the lowest scan from KDVN is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for St. Donatus 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 St. Donatus, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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