Preemption, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Preemption, Mercer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Preemption?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 65 days in the Mercer forecast zone and Mercer County — the most common reported hazard around Preemption, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (63 days) and flooding (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 65 | Jun 2026 | Jul 20, 2003 · $13 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 63 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 36 | Jul 2024 | May 20, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jul 2025 | Apr 30, 2003 · $10 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · 1 death · $965,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Oct 2008 | 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 Mercer forecast zone and Mercer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Preemption get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Preemption, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Moline Quad City Intl Ap weather station 10.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.1 | 8.8 | 10.8 | 8.6 | 4.4 | 1.1 | 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 Preemption?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 21 miles north. 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 Preemption | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 21 mi north | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 103 mi southeast | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 131 mi east | 14,600 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 Preemption
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 157 tornadoes within 25 miles of Preemption, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1974, which passed about 3 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF2 on July 11, 2025, which passed about 15 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 350 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 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 Preemption'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.
Preemption radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Preemption, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 21 miles north. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Preemption?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Preemption the lowest scan from KDVN is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Preemption 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 Preemption, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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