Birmingham, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Birmingham, Van Buren County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Birmingham?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 64 days in the Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County — the most common reported hazard around Birmingham, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (59 days) and flash flooding (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Nov 2025 | Jan 1, 1999 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Jul 2025 | Jul 8, 2003 · $85,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jul 2021 | Apr 17, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 17 | May 2021 | Jun 1, 2008 · $540,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $28,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Oct 2008 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2013 | — |
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 Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Birmingham get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Birmingham, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fairfield weather station 9.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 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 Birmingham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 87 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Birmingham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 87 mi northeast | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 109 mi west-northwest | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 146 mi east-southeast | 17,400 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 Birmingham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Birmingham, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on January 24, 1967, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 11, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 262 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.75-inch hail on June 28, 1976.
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 Birmingham'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.
Birmingham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Birmingham, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 87 miles northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Birmingham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Birmingham the lowest scan from KDVN is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Birmingham 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 Birmingham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fairfield, IA radar 9 mi
- Mount Pleasant, IA radar 22 mi
- Bloomfield, IA radar 26 mi
- Ottumwa, IA radar 27 mi
- New London, IA radar 29 mi
- Winfield, IA radar 32 mi
- Washington, IA radar 32 mi
- Sigourney, IA radar 34 mi
- Fort Madison, IA radar 36 mi
- West Burlington, IA radar 41 mi