Wallingford, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wallingford, Emmet County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wallingford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 71 days in the Emmet forecast zone and Emmet County — the most common reported hazard around Wallingford, mostly in May and April. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (64 days) and high winds (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 71 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2010 · $20 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 64 | Jul 2025 | Jul 18, 1998 · $225,000 damage |
| High winds | 55 | Feb 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $305,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Jan 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 36 | Mar 2025 | Mar 1, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Jan 2025 | Jan 18, 2001 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Jan 2023 | Nov 14, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jul 2016 | Jun 19, 2014 · $505,000 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 Emmet forecast zone and Emmet County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Wallingford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 99 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Wallingford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 99 mi west-northwest | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 122 mi north-northeast | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 123 mi south-southeast | 13,200 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 Wallingford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wallingford, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on March 21, 1953, which passed about 9 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 29, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 348 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 29, 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 Wallingford'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.
Wallingford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wallingford, IA?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 99 miles west-northwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wallingford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wallingford the lowest scan from KFSD is about 9,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wallingford 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 Wallingford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Estherville, IA radar 6 mi
- Emmetsburg, IA radar 15 mi
- Arnolds Park, IA radar 17 mi
- Spirit Lake, IA radar 17 mi
- Milford, IA radar 18 mi
- Spencer, IA radar 22 mi
- Lake Park, IA radar 28 mi
- Laurens, IA radar 33 mi
- Algona, IA radar 33 mi
- Hartley, IA radar 36 mi