Bowen, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bowen, Hancock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bowen?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 94 days in the Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County — the most common reported hazard around Bowen, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (62 days) and flooding (52 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | Jun 2026 | Jul 18, 2003 · $3.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Nov 2025 | Nov 24, 2004 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 52 | Jun 2019 | May 21, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 29 | May 2022 | Jun 14, 2011 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Dec 2024 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Feb 2001 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2013 | — |
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 Hancock forecast zone and Hancock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bowen get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Bowen, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Augusta weather station 6.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.1 | 5.2 | 7.5 | 6.1 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 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 Bowen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 91 miles east. 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 Bowen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 91 mi east | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 99 mi north-northeast | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 108 mi south | 10,800 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 Bowen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 82 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bowen, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F3 on June 21, 1981, which passed about 23 miles east of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on April 20, 2025, which passed about 8 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 249 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 12, 1998.
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 Bowen'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.
Bowen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bowen, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 91 miles east. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bowen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bowen the lowest scan from KILX is about 8,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bowen 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 Bowen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Mount Sterling, IL radar 23 mi
- La Harpe, IL radar 25 mi
- Macomb, IL radar 26 mi
- Quincy, IL radar 27 mi
- Rushville, IL radar 27 mi