Kingston, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kingston, Des Moines County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kingston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Des Moines forecast zone and Des Moines County — the most common reported hazard around Kingston, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (69 days) and flooding (59 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Sep 11, 2000 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 69 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 59 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $3.8 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Sep 2022 | May 12, 2010 · $4.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $434,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | May 2013 | Aug 10, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 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 Des Moines forecast zone and Des Moines County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kingston get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Kingston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gladstone Dam 18 weather station 6.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 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 Kingston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 50 miles north-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 Kingston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 50 mi north-northeast | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 106 mi east-southeast | 10,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 148 mi west-northwest | 17,800 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 Kingston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kingston, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 13, 1995, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles north of town.
Hail: 234 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 13, 1995.
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 Kingston'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.
Kingston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kingston, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 50 miles north-northeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kingston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kingston the lowest scan from KDVN is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kingston 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 Kingston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mediapolis, IA radar 6 mi
- Burlington, IA radar 13 mi
- West Burlington, IA radar 13 mi
- Wapello, IA radar 16 mi
- New London, IA radar 19 mi
- Winfield, IA radar 23 mi
- Mount Pleasant, IA radar 26 mi
- Columbus Junction, IA radar 27 mi
- Fort Madison, IA radar 29 mi
- Muscatine, IA radar 30 mi