Thornburg, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Thornburg, Keokuk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Thornburg?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 72 days in the Keokuk forecast zone and Keokuk County — the most common reported hazard around Thornburg, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (61 days) and flooding (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 72 | Nov 2025 | Jan 6, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 61 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 24 | Mar 2019 | Jun 1, 2008 · $570,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jul 2024 | Jun 15, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $291,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Oct 2008 | Apr 6, 1997 · $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 Keokuk forecast zone and Keokuk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Thornburg get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Thornburg, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Montezuma 1 W weather station 14.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.1 | 7.9 | 8.7 | 6.9 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 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 Thornburg?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 74 miles west-northwest. 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 Thornburg | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 74 mi west-northwest | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 91 mi east | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 174 mi north-northeast | 23,100 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 Thornburg
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of Thornburg, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 24, 2024, which passed about 4 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 188 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on May 8, 2003.
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 Thornburg'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.
Thornburg radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Thornburg, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 74 miles west-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Thornburg?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Thornburg the lowest scan from KDMX is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Thornburg 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 Thornburg, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sigourney, IA radar 11 mi
- Montezuma, IA radar 13 mi
- North English, IA radar 14 mi
- New Sharon, IA radar 17 mi
- Oskaloosa, IA radar 20 mi
- Brooklyn, IA radar 20 mi
- Williamsburg, IA radar 22 mi
- Wellman, IA radar 26 mi
- Marengo, IA radar 27 mi
- Grinnell, IA radar 28 mi