Thornton, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Thornton, Cerro Gordo County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Thornton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 84 days in the Cerro Gordo forecast zone and Cerro Gordo County — the most common reported hazard around Thornton, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and high winds (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jul 2025 | Jun 23, 1998 · $275,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 53 | Aug 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 47 | Jun 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 35 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2018 | Jul 19, 1999 · $1.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2013 | Dec 23, 2009 · $500,000 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 Cerro Gordo forecast zone and Cerro Gordo County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Thornton get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Thornton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mason City Muni Ap weather station 14.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.0 | 9.4 | 11.3 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Thornton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 86 miles south-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 Thornton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 86 mi south-southwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 126 mi east-northeast | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 132 mi north | 14,800 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 Thornton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 118 tornadoes within 25 miles of Thornton, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 329 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on August 26, 2004.
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 Thornton'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.
Thornton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Thornton, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 86 miles south-southwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Thornton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Thornton the lowest scan from KDMX is about 7,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Thornton 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 Thornton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sheffield, IA radar 10 mi
- Rockwell, IA radar 10 mi
- Belmond, IA radar 13 mi
- Clear Lake, IA radar 13 mi
- Garner, IA radar 15 mi
- Hampton, IA radar 17 mi
- Mason City, IA radar 17 mi
- Clarion, IA radar 23 mi
- Nora Springs, IA radar 24 mi
- Britt, IA radar 24 mi