West Des Moines, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West Des Moines, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West Des Moines?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 155 days in the Polk forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around West Des Moines, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (119 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 155 | Jul 2025 | Jun 17, 2014 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 119 | May 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $50 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Feb 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 47 | Jul 2025 | Jun 30, 2018 · 1 death · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 40 | Jul 2024 | May 8, 2022 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2025 | Nov 10, 1998 · $1.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2025 | Jan 16, 2009 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2025 | Dec 20, 2012 · $2.0 million 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 Polk forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does West Des Moines get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to West Des Moines, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Des Moines Intl Ap weather station 6.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.7 | 7.9 | 9.4 | 10.2 | 4.4 | 1.2 | 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 West Des Moines?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 13 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 West Des Moines | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 13 mi north-northeast | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 135 mi west | 15,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 165 mi east | 21,300 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 West Des Moines
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 189 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Des Moines, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on March 5, 2022, which passed about 8 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 6 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 837 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 73 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on May 22, 2004.
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 West Des Moines'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.
West Des Moines radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West Des Moines, IA?
KDMX (Des Moines, IA), about 13 miles north-northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 135 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in West Des Moines?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West Des Moines the lowest scan from KDMX is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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