Tama, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Tama, Tama County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Tama?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Tama forecast zone and Tama County — the most common reported hazard around Tama, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Jul 2025 | Jun 29, 1998 · $1.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Feb 2026 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 35 | May 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 14 | Feb 2023 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Jan 2024 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | May 2024 | May 29, 2013 · $450,000 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 Tama forecast zone and Tama County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Tama get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Tama, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Toledo 3N weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.8 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Tama?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 61 miles west-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 Tama | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 61 mi west-southwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 106 mi east-southeast | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 146 mi north-northeast | 17,400 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 Tama
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Tama, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 24, 1989, which passed about 16 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 20 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 258 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.75-inch hail on August 16, 1987.
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 Tama'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.
Tama radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Tama, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 61 miles west-southwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Tama?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Tama the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Tama 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 Tama, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Toledo, IA radar 2 mi
- Belle Plaine, IA radar 16 mi
- Traer, IA radar 17 mi
- Brooklyn, IA radar 17 mi
- Grinnell, IA radar 18 mi
- Marshalltown, IA radar 18 mi
- Dysart, IA radar 20 mi
- Conrad, IA radar 24 mi
- Reinbeck, IA radar 25 mi
- Montezuma, IA radar 27 mi