Dubuque, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dubuque, Dubuque County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dubuque?
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 Dubuque, 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 Dubuque get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Dubuque, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dubuque L&D 11 weather station 4.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.2 | 9.9 | 11.7 | 8.6 | 3.7 | 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 Dubuque?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 62 miles south. 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 Dubuque | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 62 mi south | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 95 mi north-northwest | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 114 mi east-northeast | 11,800 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 Dubuque
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dubuque, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 22 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 285 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 19, 1994.
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 Dubuque'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.
Dubuque radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dubuque, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 62 miles south. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dubuque?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dubuque the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dubuque 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 Dubuque, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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