Sumner, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sumner, Bremer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sumner?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the Bremer forecast zone and Bremer County — the most common reported hazard around Sumner, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and high winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 2010 · $350,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 33 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 31 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 21 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | May 2020 | Jul 23, 2010 · $1.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Feb 2023 | Feb 8, 2001 · $75,000 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 Bremer forecast zone and Bremer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sumner get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Sumner, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fayette weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.7 | 10.2 | 10.8 | 9.9 | 5.4 | 1.8 | 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 Sumner?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 81 miles northeast. 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 Sumner | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 81 mi northeast | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 113 mi southwest | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 115 mi southeast | 12,000 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 Sumner
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 116 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sumner, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF5 on May 25, 2008, which passed about 16 miles south of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 5, 2022, which touched down about 16 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 298 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 8.00-inch hail on May 31, 1958.
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 Sumner'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.
Sumner radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sumner, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 81 miles northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sumner?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sumner the lowest scan from KARX is about 7,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Sumner 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 Sumner, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Tripoli, IA radar 9 mi
- Fairbank, IA radar 15 mi
- Fayette, IA radar 15 mi
- Oelwein, IA radar 15 mi
- West Union, IA radar 16 mi
- Denver, IA radar 17 mi
- New Hampton, IA radar 18 mi
- Waverly, IA radar 21 mi
- Janesville, IA radar 23 mi
- Nashua, IA radar 24 mi