Fairfield, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairfield, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 64 days in the Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around Fairfield, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (57 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Nov 2025 | Jan 4, 2004 · $5,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Apr 2026 | Aug 3, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jun 2026 | Aug 13, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $53,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | May 2019 | Aug 13, 2010 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | 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 Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairfield get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Fairfield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fairfield weather station 1.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 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 Fairfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 83 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 Fairfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 83 mi east-northeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 104 mi west-northwest | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 150 mi east-southeast | 18,200 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 Fairfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairfield, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on March 31, 2023, which passed about 21 miles north of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 11, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 263 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 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 Fairfield'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.
Fairfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairfield, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 83 miles east-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairfield the lowest scan from KDVN is about 7,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Fairfield 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 Fairfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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