Wapello, IA Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for WapelloWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Wapello?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 70 days in the Louisa forecast zone and Louisa County — the most common reported hazard around Wapello, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (51 days) and flooding (48 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms70Nov 2025Jan 4, 2004 · $5,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds51Apr 2026Jun 29, 1998 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage
Flooding48Jul 2024Jun 1, 2008 · $19 million damage
Flash flooding20Jun 2026Jun 14, 2008 · 1 death
Extreme cold & wind chill12Jan 2019—
Ice storms & sleet10Dec 2024Feb 24, 2007 · $1.1 million damage
High winds6Oct 2008Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage
Blizzards6Mar 2026—

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 Louisa forecast zone and Louisa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Wapello get?

A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Wapello, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wapello weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (10.1 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.21.18.610.19.45.11.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Wapello?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 44 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over WapelloView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		44 mi northeast3,000 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KILX
Lincoln, IL		120 mi southeast12,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		137 mi west-northwest15,600 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 Wapello

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wapello, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF3 on June 1, 2007, which passed about 6 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles east of town.

Hail: 252 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-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 Wapello'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.

Wapello radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Wapello, IA?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 44 miles northeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Wapello?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wapello the lowest scan from KDVN is about 3,000 ft up.

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

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