West Chester, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West Chester, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West Chester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around West Chester, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (74 days) and flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $21 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 74 | Nov 2025 | Mar 15, 2004 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | May 2019 | Jun 13, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2010 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2019 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Jun 2011 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $377,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does West Chester get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to West Chester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Washington weather station 6.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.4 | 4.7 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 2.3 | 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 West Chester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 67 miles east-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 West Chester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 67 mi east-northeast | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 102 mi west-northwest | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 154 mi east-southeast | 18,900 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 West Chester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 104 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Chester, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 15 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 24, 2024, which passed about 25 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 215 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.75-inch hail on June 28, 1976.
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 West Chester'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.
West Chester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West Chester, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 67 miles east-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in West Chester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West Chester the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for West Chester 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 West Chester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Washington, IA radar 7 mi
- Wellman, IA radar 9 mi
- Kalona, IA radar 12 mi
- Riverside, IA radar 16 mi
- North English, IA radar 18 mi
- Sigourney, IA radar 20 mi
- Lone Tree, IA radar 23 mi
- Columbus Junction, IA radar 24 mi
- Fairfield, IA radar 24 mi
- Winfield, IA radar 25 mi