Twin Lakes, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Twin Lakes, Calhoun County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Twin Lakes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 57 days in the Calhoun forecast zone and Calhoun County — the most common reported hazard around Twin Lakes, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and high winds (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Jul 2025 | Aug 9, 2009 · $5.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Feb 2026 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 45 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Flooding | 37 | Dec 2015 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 22 | Jan 2025 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2019 | Jul 22, 2010 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Nov 2020 | Jan 20, 2010 · $750,000 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 Calhoun forecast zone and Calhoun County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Twin Lakes get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Twin Lakes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rockwell City weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 2.4 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 4.9 | 1.9 | 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 Twin Lakes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 70 miles southeast. 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 Twin Lakes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 70 mi southeast | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 120 mi southwest | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 131 mi northwest | 14,600 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 Twin Lakes
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 138 tornadoes within 25 miles of Twin Lakes, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 28, 1979, which passed about 7 miles northeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 4, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 316 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 10, 1993.
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 Twin Lakes'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.
Twin Lakes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Twin Lakes, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 70 miles southeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Twin Lakes?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Twin Lakes the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Twin Lakes 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 Twin Lakes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Rockwell City, IA radar 6 mi
- Lake City, IA radar 16 mi
- Pocahontas, IA radar 18 mi
- Sac City, IA radar 19 mi
- Fort Dodge, IA radar 23 mi
- Lake View, IA radar 24 mi
- Humboldt, IA radar 27 mi
- Laurens, IA radar 28 mi
- Glidden, IA radar 30 mi