Iowa, LA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Iowa, Calcasieu County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Iowa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 185 days in the Southern Calcasieu forecast zone and Calcasieu County — the most common reported hazard around Iowa, mostly in May and June. Next come flash flooding (98 days) and flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 185 | May 2026 | Jul 20, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 98 | Jun 2026 | May 17, 2021 · 1 death · $500 million damage |
| Flooding | 17 | Mar 2016 | Mar 10, 2016 · $50 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2024 | Dec 29, 1996 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Storm surge | 1 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Southern Calcasieu forecast zone and Calcasieu County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Iowa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 15 miles west-southwest. 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 Iowa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLCH Lake Charles, LA | 15 mi west-southwest | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPOE Fort Polk, LA | 63 mi north | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHGX Houston, TX | 135 mi west-southwest | 15,300 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 Iowa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 152 tornadoes within 25 miles of Iowa, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on October 29, 1974, which passed about 22 miles east-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on October 25, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles west of town.
Hail: 164 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 27, 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 Iowa'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.
Iowa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Iowa, LA?
KLCH (Lake Charles, LA), about 15 miles west-southwest. KPOE (Fort Polk, LA) is 63 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Iowa?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Iowa the lowest scan from KLCH is about 800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.
Is TALON's radar for Iowa 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 Iowa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Welsh, LA radar 12 mi
- Lake Charles, LA radar 12 mi
- Westlake, LA radar 15 mi
- Kinder, LA radar 19 mi
- Sulphur, LA radar 21 mi
- Jennings, LA radar 21 mi
- Lake Arthur, LA radar 23 mi
- Oberlin, LA radar 29 mi
- DeQuincy, LA radar 30 mi
- Basile, LA radar 30 mi