Preston, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Preston, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Preston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 84 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Preston, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (79 days) and flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Nov 2025 | Nov 14, 1996 · 1 death · $80,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 79 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2016 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 26 | Jul 2024 | Jul 24, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Apr 2026 | Jul 27, 2011 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Dec 2021 | Jun 10, 2003 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $66,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | 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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Preston get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Preston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Maquoketa weather station 13.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.7 | 7.1 | 8.4 | 8.0 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Preston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 32 miles south-southwest. 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 Preston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 32 mi south-southwest | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 113 mi northeast | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 123 mi east-southeast | 13,200 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 Preston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of Preston, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 9 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on July 11, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 172 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 7.00-inch hail on September 27, 1959.
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 Preston'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.
Preston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Preston, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 32 miles south-southwest. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Preston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Preston the lowest scan from KDVN is about 2,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Preston 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 Preston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Maquoketa, IA radar 14 mi
- Bellevue, IA radar 15 mi
- Clinton, IA radar 16 mi
- DeWitt, IA radar 17 mi
- Camanche, IA radar 19 mi
- Eldridge, IA radar 30 mi
- Le Claire, IA radar 31 mi
- Bettendorf, IA radar 34 mi
- Dubuque, IA radar 35 mi
- Davenport, IA radar 36 mi