Buffalo Prairie, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo Prairie, Rock Island County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo Prairie?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Rock Island forecast zone and Rock Island County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo Prairie, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (77 days) and flooding (67 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Mar 12, 2006 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 77 | Nov 2025 | Jan 4, 2004 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 67 | Jul 2024 | Apr 1, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Jun 2026 | Feb 20, 1997 · $550,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2021 | Jan 18, 2021 · 1 death |
| High winds | 15 | Dec 2024 | Apr 6, 1997 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Dec 2024 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Jun 2010 | Jun 10, 1999 · 2 deaths |
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 Rock Island forecast zone and Rock Island County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buffalo Prairie get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Buffalo Prairie, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Aledo weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.4 | 4.1 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 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 Buffalo Prairie?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 23 miles 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 Buffalo Prairie | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 23 mi northeast | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 114 mi southeast | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 144 mi east | 17,000 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 Buffalo Prairie
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 152 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo Prairie, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on June 1, 2007, which passed about 12 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF2 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 12 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 372 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 46 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 4, 2023.
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 Buffalo Prairie'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.
Buffalo Prairie radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo Prairie, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 23 miles northeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo Prairie?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo Prairie the lowest scan from KDVN is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo Prairie 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 Buffalo Prairie, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Andalusia, IL radar 10 mi
- Aledo, IL radar 11 mi
- Milan, IL radar 16 mi
- Rock Island, IL radar 16 mi
- Moline, IL radar 21 mi
- Coal Valley, IL radar 22 mi
- Orion, IL radar 24 mi
- Silvis, IL radar 25 mi
- Carbon Cliff, IL radar 26 mi
- East Moline, IL radar 27 mi