Lowell, IA Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for LowellWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Lowell?

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 Lowell, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (66 days) and flash flooding (14 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds70Apr 2026May 10, 2003 · $500,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms66Nov 2025—
Flash flooding14Jul 2017Sep 13, 2008 · $250,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill12Jan 2019—
Flooding10Jun 2019Jun 23, 2000 · 1 death
High winds9Dec 2021Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet9Dec 2024Feb 24, 2007 · $129,000 damage
Excessive heat5Aug 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 Lowell get?

A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Lowell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Pleasant 1 Ssw weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.56.17.27.12.81.10.0

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

Which radars cover Lowell?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 70 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over LowellView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		70 mi northeast5,700 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KILX
Lincoln, IL		120 mi east-southeast12,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDMX
Des Moines, IA		134 mi west-northwest15,100 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 Lowell

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 100 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lowell, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 13, 1995, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 11, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles west of town.

Hail: 270 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 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 Lowell'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.

Lowell radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Lowell, IA?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 70 miles northeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Lowell?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lowell the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,700 ft up.

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

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