Burlington, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Burlington, Des Moines County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Burlington?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Des Moines forecast zone and Des Moines County — the most common reported hazard around Burlington, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (69 days) and flooding (59 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Sep 11, 2000 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 69 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 59 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $3.8 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Sep 2022 | May 12, 2010 · $4.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $434,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | May 2013 | Aug 10, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 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 Des Moines forecast zone and Des Moines County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Burlington get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Burlington, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Burlington 2S weather station 2.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.3 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 2.1 | 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 Burlington?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 62 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 Burlington | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 62 mi north-northeast | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 104 mi east-southeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 148 mi south | 17,700 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 Burlington
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 97 tornadoes within 25 miles of Burlington, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 13, 1995, which passed about 13 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 267 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 13, 1995.
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 Burlington'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.
Burlington radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Burlington, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 62 miles north-northeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Burlington?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Burlington the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Burlington 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 Burlington, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- West Burlington, IA radar 3 mi
- Mediapolis, IA radar 14 mi
- New London, IA radar 17 mi
- Fort Madison, IA radar 17 mi
- Mount Pleasant, IA radar 25 mi
- Wapello, IA radar 26 mi
- Winfield, IA radar 27 mi
- Keokuk, IA radar 31 mi
- Columbus Junction, IA radar 35 mi
- Muscatine, IA radar 42 mi