Bluffs, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bluffs, Scott County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bluffs?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the Scott forecast zone and Scott County — the most common reported hazard around Bluffs, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (31 days) and flash flooding (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jun 2025 | Aug 12, 1999 · $2.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 31 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 29 | May 2024 | Jun 19, 2011 · $850,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 11 | Apr 2017 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 4 | Dec 2012 | Feb 1, 2011 · $21,000 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.
Which radars cover Bluffs?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 69 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 Bluffs | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 69 mi east-northeast | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 73 mi south | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 129 mi north | 14,200 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 Bluffs
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bluffs, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on April 24, 1961, which passed about 8 miles south of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 12 miles south of town.
Hail: 201 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 13, 1981.
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 Bluffs'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.
Bluffs radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bluffs, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 69 miles east-northeast. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bluffs?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bluffs the lowest scan from KILX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bluffs 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 Bluffs, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Pittsfield, IL radar 18 mi
- Beardstown, IL radar 19 mi
- Roodhouse, IL radar 20 mi
- Mount Sterling, IL radar 20 mi
- Virginia, IL radar 22 mi
- White Hall, IL radar 23 mi