Bradford, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bradford, Stark County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bradford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 53 days in the Stark forecast zone and Stark County — the most common reported hazard around Bradford, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Jun 2026 | Jun 30, 2014 · $203,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2022 | Jun 24, 2013 · $9.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2021 | Dec 28, 2015 · $150,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Mar 2026 | Feb 1, 2011 · $80,000 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 Stark forecast zone and Stark County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bradford get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Bradford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bradford 3Sse weather station 2.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.8 | 5.7 | 7.3 | 5.4 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 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 Bradford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 56 miles west-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Bradford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 56 mi west-northwest | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 73 mi south-southeast | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 87 mi east-northeast | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Bradford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bradford, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 29, 1976, which passed about 24 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 13, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 222 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 9, 2001.
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 Bradford'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.
Bradford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bradford, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 56 miles west-northwest. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bradford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bradford the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bradford 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 Bradford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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