Princeton, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Princeton, Scott County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Princeton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 155 days in the Scott forecast zone and Scott County — the most common reported hazard around Princeton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (83 days) and flooding (71 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 155 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 1997 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Nov 2025 | Feb 1, 2015 · $175,000 damage |
| Flooding | 71 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2008 · $4.4 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 38 | Aug 2025 | Jun 12, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 21 | Mar 2022 | Apr 6, 1997 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 13 | Aug 2015 | Aug 25, 2014 · $400,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 12 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $312,000 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 Scott forecast zone and Scott County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Princeton get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Princeton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clinton #1 weather station 9.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.3 | 7.9 | 9.2 | 7.5 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 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 Princeton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 12 miles west-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 Princeton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 12 mi west-southwest | 600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 117 mi east | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 118 mi south-southeast | 12,400 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 Princeton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 172 tornadoes within 25 miles of Princeton, 38 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on March 29, 1981, which passed about 21 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF2 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 16 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 406 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 48 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 Princeton'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.
Princeton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Princeton, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 12 miles west-southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Princeton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Princeton the lowest scan from KDVN is about 600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Princeton 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 Princeton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Le Claire, IA radar 5 mi
- Bettendorf, IA radar 9 mi
- Camanche, IA radar 9 mi
- Eldridge, IA radar 12 mi
- Clinton, IA radar 13 mi
- DeWitt, IA radar 14 mi
- Davenport, IA radar 15 mi
- Walcott, IA radar 23 mi
- Blue Grass, IA radar 24 mi
- Buffalo, IA radar 26 mi