Hillsboro, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hillsboro, Henry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hillsboro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 70 days in the Henry forecast zone and Henry County — the most common reported hazard around Hillsboro, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (66 days) and flash flooding (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | Apr 2026 | May 10, 2003 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 66 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jul 2017 | Sep 13, 2008 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Jun 2019 | Jun 23, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 9 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $129,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2013 | — |
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 Henry forecast zone and Henry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hillsboro get?
A normal year brings about 26 inches of snow to Hillsboro, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oakland Mills 3 W weather station 6.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 6.8 | 9.3 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 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 Hillsboro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 79 miles 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 Hillsboro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 79 mi northeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 121 mi west-northwest | 13,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 134 mi east-southeast | 15,100 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 Hillsboro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hillsboro, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on April 16, 1967, which passed about 8 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 11, 2025, which touched down about 3 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 283 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 17, 1992.
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 Hillsboro'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.
Hillsboro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hillsboro, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 79 miles northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hillsboro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hillsboro the lowest scan from KDVN is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- New London, IA radar 17 mi
- Fairfield, IA radar 18 mi
- Fort Madison, IA radar 24 mi
- Winfield, IA radar 25 mi
- West Burlington, IA radar 28 mi
- Burlington, IA radar 31 mi
- Mediapolis, IA radar 31 mi
- Washington, IA radar 32 mi
- Keokuk, IA radar 34 mi