Watkins, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watkins, Benton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watkins?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 114 days in the Benton forecast zone and Benton County — the most common reported hazard around Watkins, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (81 days) and flash flooding (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 114 | Jun 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 81 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Aug 2025 | Jun 18, 2010 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flooding | 16 | Jun 2020 | Jun 1, 2008 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Feb 2016 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 13 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $2.1 million damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $5,000 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 Benton forecast zone and Benton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Watkins get?
A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Watkins, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Walford 2 Se weather station 9.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.2 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 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 Watkins?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 75 miles east-southeast. 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 Watkins | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 75 mi east-southeast | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 90 mi west | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 139 mi north-northeast | 16,100 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 Watkins
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 132 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watkins, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 465 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 8, 1988.
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 Watkins'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.
Watkins radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watkins, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 75 miles east-southeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watkins?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watkins the lowest scan from KDVN is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Watkins 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 Watkins, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marengo, IA radar 8 mi
- Walford, IA radar 8 mi
- Atkins, IA radar 10 mi
- Fairfax, IA radar 11 mi
- Belle Plaine, IA radar 15 mi
- Palo, IA radar 15 mi
- Williamsburg, IA radar 16 mi
- Cedar Rapids, IA radar 16 mi
- Vinton, IA radar 19 mi
- Hiawatha, IA radar 19 mi