Steamboat Rock, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Steamboat Rock, Hardin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Steamboat Rock?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 80 days in the Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County — the most common reported hazard around Steamboat Rock, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Aug 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 36 | Dec 2015 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 27 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | May 2024 | Jun 22, 2007 · $350,000 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 Hardin forecast zone and Hardin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Steamboat Rock get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Steamboat Rock, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Eldora weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.8 | 8.4 | 8.1 | 8.8 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Steamboat Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 58 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 Steamboat Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 58 mi southwest | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 136 mi northeast | 15,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 139 mi east-southeast | 16,100 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 Steamboat Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 134 tornadoes within 25 miles of Steamboat Rock, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF5 on May 25, 2008, which passed about 14 miles northeast of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 18, 2025, which touched down about 5 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 274 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 1, 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 Steamboat Rock'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.
Steamboat Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Steamboat Rock, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 58 miles southwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Steamboat Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Steamboat Rock the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Steamboat Rock 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 Steamboat Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eldora, IA radar 4 mi
- Ackley, IA radar 10 mi
- Iowa Falls, IA radar 13 mi
- Aplington, IA radar 15 mi
- Grundy Center, IA radar 15 mi
- Conrad, IA radar 16 mi
- Parkersburg, IA radar 19 mi
- Dike, IA radar 23 mi
- Hampton, IA radar 24 mi
- Reinbeck, IA radar 25 mi