Stanwood, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Stanwood, Cedar County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Stanwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Cedar forecast zone and Cedar County — the most common reported hazard around Stanwood, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (87 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | May 10, 1996 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 87 | Nov 2025 | Jan 10, 2020 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2026 | Apr 17, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Sep 2016 | Jun 1, 2008 · $3.5 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Feb 2019 | Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $1.0 million 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 Cedar forecast zone and Cedar County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Stanwood get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Stanwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lowden weather station 11.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 2.9 | 9.1 | 11.2 | 8.0 | 6.2 | 1.7 | 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 Stanwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 35 miles east-southeast. 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 Stanwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 35 mi east-southeast | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 133 mi west | 15,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 133 mi north | 15,000 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 Stanwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 144 tornadoes within 25 miles of Stanwood, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 12 miles east-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 21 miles north of town.
Hail: 271 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on September 20, 2001.
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 Stanwood'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.
Stanwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Stanwood, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 35 miles east-southeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Stanwood?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Stanwood the lowest scan from KDVN is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Stanwood 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 Stanwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Tipton, IA radar 9 mi
- Lisbon, IA radar 13 mi
- Mount Vernon, IA radar 14 mi
- Anamosa, IA radar 16 mi
- West Branch, IA radar 19 mi
- Springville, IA radar 19 mi
- Solon, IA radar 19 mi
- Wilton, IA radar 22 mi
- Ely, IA radar 23 mi
- West Liberty, IA radar 23 mi