Centralia, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Centralia, Dubuque County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Centralia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Dubuque forecast zone and Dubuque County — the most common reported hazard around Centralia, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (86 days) and flash flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Jul 5, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Nov 2025 | Jan 1, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Jun 2026 | May 17, 1999 · $16 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flooding | 20 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $6.4 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Dec 2024 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Jan 1, 2005 · $5,000 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 Dubuque forecast zone and Dubuque County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Centralia get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Centralia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dubuque Rgnl Ap weather station 8.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.8 | 10.3 | 10.7 | 10.6 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 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 Centralia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 61 miles south-southeast. 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 Centralia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 61 mi south-southeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 95 mi north | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 121 mi east-northeast | 12,900 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 Centralia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 104 tornadoes within 25 miles of Centralia, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 15 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 11, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 284 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 18, 1998.
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 Centralia'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.
Centralia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Centralia, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 61 miles south-southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Centralia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Centralia the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Centralia 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 Centralia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Peosta, IA radar 2 mi
- Asbury, IA radar 4 mi
- Epworth, IA radar 5 mi
- Dubuque, IA radar 7 mi
- Farley, IA radar 9 mi
- Dyersville, IA radar 14 mi
- Cascade, IA radar 15 mi
- Monticello, IA radar 24 mi
- Bellevue, IA radar 25 mi
- Guttenberg, IA radar 26 mi