University Park, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for University Park, Mahaska County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for University ParkWhat TALON shows

What weather hits University Park?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 103 days in the Mahaska forecast zone and Mahaska County — the most common reported hazard around University Park, mostly in June and May. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (71 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (44 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Flooding103Jun 2019Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds71Jun 2025Jun 21, 1997 · $325,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms44Feb 2025Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage
High winds26Mar 2025May 30, 2003 · 1 death · $25,000 damage
Flash flooding18Jul 2024Jun 25, 2000 · $600,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill15Jan 2025Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage
Blizzards12Jan 2024Dec 20, 2012 · $100,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet12Dec 2024Jan 20, 2010 · $250,000 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 Mahaska forecast zone and Mahaska County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover University Park?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 65 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over University ParkView
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		65 mi west-northwest5,100 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		108 mi east-northeast10,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KILX
Lincoln, IL		189 mi east-southeast26,500 ftLimited — 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 University Park

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of University Park, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 6 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 24, 2024, which passed about 13 miles east-northeast of town.

Hail: 283 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 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 University Park'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.

University Park radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to University Park, IA?

KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 65 miles west-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in University Park?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over University Park the lowest scan from KDMX is about 5,100 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for University Park 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 University Park, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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