Donaldson, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Donaldson, Marshall County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Donaldson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 114 days in the Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County — the most common reported hazard around Donaldson, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and high winds (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 114 | Jun 2026 | Aug 15, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 2012 · 1 death |
| High winds | 10 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Apr 2026 | Feb 20, 2018 · $1.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2025 | Jul 18, 2007 · $15,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Aug 2025 | Jul 20, 2019 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Feb 24, 2007 · $25,000 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 Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Donaldson get?
A normal year brings about 55 inches of snow to Donaldson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Plymouth weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (18.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 3.3 | 11.3 | 18.6 | 14.1 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 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 Donaldson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 39 miles east. 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 Donaldson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 39 mi east | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 87 mi west-northwest | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 115 mi south | 11,900 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 Donaldson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 119 tornadoes within 25 miles of Donaldson, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town and caused 36 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 10 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 242 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 19, 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 Donaldson'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.
Donaldson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Donaldson, IN?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 39 miles east. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Donaldson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Donaldson the lowest scan from KIWX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Donaldson 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 Donaldson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Plymouth, IN radar 7 mi
- Walkerton, IN radar 7 mi
- Culver, IN radar 10 mi
- Knox, IN radar 10 mi
- North Liberty, IN radar 12 mi
- Argos, IN radar 13 mi
- Kingsford Heights, IN radar 15 mi
- Bremen, IN radar 16 mi
- Bourbon, IN radar 17 mi
- North Judson, IN radar 20 mi