Thayer, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Thayer, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Thayer?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 73 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Thayer, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and high winds (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Jul 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $550,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 26 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2019 | Sep 19, 2010 · $275,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Jan 20, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 14 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jul 2015 | 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Thayer get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Thayer, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lorimor weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.2 | 4.6 | 7.6 | 8.8 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 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 Thayer?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 51 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 Thayer | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 51 mi north-northeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 122 mi west | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 154 mi south | 18,900 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 Thayer
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Thayer, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 16 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 18 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 383 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 51 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 3, 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 Thayer'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.
Thayer radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Thayer, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 51 miles north-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Thayer?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Thayer the lowest scan from KDMX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Thayer 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 Thayer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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