Alpha, IL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for AlphaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Alpha?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 134 days in the Henry forecast zone and Henry County — the most common reported hazard around Alpha, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (77 days) and flash flooding (28 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds134Jun 2026Jul 21, 2008 · 2 deaths
Heavy snow & winter storms77Nov 2025Jan 4, 2004 · $5,000 damage
Flash flooding28Jun 2026Apr 30, 2003 · $10 million damage
Flooding23Jun 2019Jun 22, 2009 · $250,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill13Jan 2019—
Ice storms & sleet13Feb 2019Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage
High winds10Feb 2019Apr 6, 1997 · $250,000 damage
Blizzards6Mar 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 Henry forecast zone and Henry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Alpha get?

A normal year brings about 27 inches of snow to Alpha, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Woodhull weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.9 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.77.17.96.74.10.30.0

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

Which radars cover Alpha?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 31 miles north-northwest. 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 AlphaView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		31 mi north-northwest1,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KILX
Lincoln, IL		90 mi southeast8,300 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KLOT
Chicago, IL		122 mi east-northeast13,100 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 Alpha

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 154 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alpha, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1974, which passed about 11 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 3, 2025, which passed about 21 miles west-northwest of town.

Hail: 299 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 1995.

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 Alpha'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.

Alpha radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Alpha, IL?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 31 miles north-northwest. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Alpha?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alpha the lowest scan from KDVN is about 1,900 ft up.

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

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