Waterville, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Waterville, Allamakee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Waterville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 68 days in the Allamakee forecast zone and Allamakee County — the most common reported hazard around Waterville, mostly in January and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (60 days) and flooding (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 68 | Feb 2026 | Mar 23, 2016 · $15,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Sep 2024 | Jul 23, 2022 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 34 | Aug 2025 | Aug 19, 2007 · 1 death · $45,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Jun 2024 | Jun 22, 2013 · $6.4 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $22,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $175,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | Jan 2014 | — |
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 Allamakee forecast zone and Allamakee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Waterville get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Waterville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lynxville Dam 9 weather station 10 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.7 | 8.6 | 9.9 | 10.0 | 4.6 | 0.6 | 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 Waterville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 43 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 Waterville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 43 mi north | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 116 mi south-southeast | 12,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 140 mi east | 16,200 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 Waterville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 51 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waterville, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1954, which passed about 7 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 24, 2009.
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 Waterville'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.
Waterville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Waterville, IA?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 43 miles north. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Waterville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Waterville the lowest scan from KARX is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Waterville 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 Waterville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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