Brighton, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Brighton, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Brighton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Brighton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (74 days) and flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $21 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 74 | Nov 2025 | Mar 15, 2004 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | May 2019 | Jun 13, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2019 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Jun 2011 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $377,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 2026 | — |
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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Brighton get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Brighton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brighton weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.8 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 9.9 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 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 Brighton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 71 miles east-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 Brighton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 71 mi east-northeast | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 106 mi west-northwest | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 148 mi east-southeast | 17,800 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 Brighton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 87 tornadoes within 25 miles of Brighton, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 24 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 11, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 198 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 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 Brighton'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.
Brighton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Brighton, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 71 miles east-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Brighton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Brighton the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Brighton 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 Brighton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Washington, IA radar 11 mi
- Fairfield, IA radar 14 mi
- Winfield, IA radar 20 mi
- Wellman, IA radar 20 mi
- Mount Pleasant, IA radar 20 mi
- Kalona, IA radar 22 mi
- Sigourney, IA radar 23 mi
- Columbus Junction, IA radar 25 mi
- Riverside, IA radar 25 mi
- North English, IA radar 27 mi