Sun Valley Lake, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sun Valley Lake, Ringgold County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sun Valley Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 44 days in the Ringgold forecast zone and Ringgold County — the most common reported hazard around Sun Valley Lake, mostly in June and April. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and high winds (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 44 | Apr 2025 | Feb 20, 2014 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 23 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2024 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Sep 2018 | Sep 9, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Sep 2014 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 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 Ringgold forecast zone and Ringgold County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sun Valley Lake get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Sun Valley Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Beaconsfield weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 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 Sun Valley Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 64 miles north-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 Sun Valley Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 64 mi north-northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 124 mi west-northwest | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 141 mi south | 16,500 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 Sun Valley Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sun Valley Lake, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 27, 1995, which passed about 24 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 17 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 317 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 47 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 4, 2005.
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 Sun Valley Lake'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.
Sun Valley Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sun Valley Lake, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 64 miles north-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sun Valley Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sun Valley Lake the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sun Valley Lake 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 Sun Valley Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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