Wadena, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wadena, Fayette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wadena?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 67 days in the Fayette forecast zone and Fayette County — the most common reported hazard around Wadena, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days) and flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 67 | Feb 2026 | Feb 23, 2007 · $75,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jul 2025 | Jun 22, 2015 · $3.1 million damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Aug 2025 | Jun 7, 2008 · $5.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jun 2024 | Jul 22, 2017 · $9.6 million damage |
| Blizzards | 19 | Mar 2026 | Dec 10, 2010 · $2,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $180,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $27,000 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 Fayette forecast zone and Fayette County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wadena get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Wadena, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fayette weather station 9.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.7 | 10.2 | 10.8 | 9.9 | 5.4 | 1.8 | 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 Wadena?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 72 miles north-northeast. 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 Wadena | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 72 mi north-northeast | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 101 mi south-southeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 130 mi southwest | 14,500 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 Wadena
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wadena, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 10 miles west of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 16, 2024, which passed about 21 miles south of town.
Hail: 241 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 8.00-inch hail on May 31, 1958.
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 Wadena'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.
Wadena radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wadena, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 72 miles north-northeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wadena?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wadena the lowest scan from KARX is about 5,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Wadena 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 Wadena, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fayette, IA radar 7 mi
- West Union, IA radar 11 mi
- Strawberry Point, IA radar 13 mi
- Elkader, IA radar 13 mi
- Oelwein, IA radar 17 mi
- Postville, IA radar 18 mi
- Monona, IA radar 20 mi
- Sumner, IA radar 22 mi
- Fairbank, IA radar 24 mi
- Calmar, IA radar 26 mi