State Center, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for State Center, Marshall County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits State Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 87 days in the Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County — the most common reported hazard around State Center, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (60 days) and high winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 87 | Jul 2025 | Jul 11, 2011 · $550,000 damage |
| Flooding | 60 | May 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $250 million damage |
| High winds | 47 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 16 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Apr 2022 | Jun 22, 2007 · $400,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Feb 2023 | Jan 20, 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 Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does State Center get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to State Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Colo weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 1.9 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 4.5 | 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 State Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 miles southwest. 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 State Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 35 mi southwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 136 mi east | 15,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 160 mi northeast | 20,200 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 State Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 141 tornadoes within 25 miles of State Center, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 21 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 25, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles south of town.
Hail: 415 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 62 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on May 30, 1998.
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 State Center'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.
State Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to State Center, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 35 miles southwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in State Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over State Center the lowest scan from KDMX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for State Center 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 State Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marshalltown, IA radar 13 mi
- Nevada, IA radar 16 mi
- Roland, IA radar 20 mi
- Conrad, IA radar 21 mi
- Newton, IA radar 23 mi
- Ames, IA radar 23 mi
- Colfax, IA radar 23 mi
- Huxley, IA radar 23 mi
- Elkhart, IA radar 24 mi
- Eldora, IA radar 24 mi