Downey, IA Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Downey, Cedar County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for DowneyWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Downey?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Cedar forecast zone and Cedar County — the most common reported hazard around Downey, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (87 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (16 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds96Jun 2026May 10, 1996 · $250,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms87Nov 2025Jan 10, 2020 · 1 death
Extreme cold & wind chill16Jan 2019—
Flash flooding15Jun 2026Apr 17, 2013 · $250,000 damage
Flooding13Sep 2016Jun 1, 2008 · $3.5 million damage
High winds11Feb 2019Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage
Blizzards9Mar 2026Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet7Dec 2024Feb 24, 2007 · $1.0 million 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 Cedar forecast zone and Cedar County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Downey get?

A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Downey, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Iowa City weather station 8.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.6 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.41.17.27.67.53.20.50.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Downey?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 40 miles east. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over DowneyView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		40 mi east2,600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		123 mi west13,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KILX
Lincoln, IL		146 mi southeast17,300 ftLimited — 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 Downey

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 134 tornadoes within 25 miles of Downey, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF4 on March 31, 2023, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on March 14, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles east of town.

Hail: 337 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 31, 1971.

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 Downey'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.

Downey radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Downey, IA?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 40 miles east. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Downey?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Downey the lowest scan from KDVN is about 2,600 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Downey 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 Downey, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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