Van Wert, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Van Wert, Decatur County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Van Wert?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 59 days in the Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County — the most common reported hazard around Van Wert, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (47 days) and flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Sep 2025 | Jun 19, 2011 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Feb 2025 | Oct 26, 1997 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Sep 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| High winds | 20 | Apr 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 15 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2025 | Jun 3, 2014 · $450,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2024 | Sep 21, 1999 · $294,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $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 Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Van Wert get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Van Wert, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Osceola weather station 10.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.1 | 5.7 | 8.2 | 7.2 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Van Wert?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 60 miles north. 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 Van Wert | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 60 mi north | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 138 mi west-northwest | 15,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 145 mi south | 17,100 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 Van Wert
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 84 tornadoes within 25 miles of Van Wert, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 6, 2024, which passed about 7 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 303 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 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 Van Wert'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.
Van Wert radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Van Wert, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 60 miles north. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 138 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Van Wert?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Van Wert the lowest scan from KDMX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Van Wert 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 Van Wert, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Leon, IA radar 9 mi
- Osceola, IA radar 11 mi
- Lamoni, IA radar 19 mi
- Mount Ayr, IA radar 26 mi
- Corydon, IA radar 26 mi
- Chariton, IA radar 27 mi
- Creston, IA radar 33 mi
- Winterset, IA radar 35 mi
- Indianola, IA radar 36 mi
- Melcher-Dallas, IA radar 38 mi