Princeton, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Princeton, Bureau County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Princeton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 97 days in the Bureau forecast zone and Bureau County — the most common reported hazard around Princeton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (68 days) and flash flooding (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 97 | Jun 2026 | May 10, 2003 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 68 | Nov 2025 | Jan 20, 2006 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jun 2026 | Sep 13, 2008 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Feb 2019 | May 11, 2003 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Feb 2019 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Mar 2026 | — |
| 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 Bureau forecast zone and Bureau County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Princeton get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Princeton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Princeton weather station 1.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.3 | 6.8 | 8.6 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 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 Princeton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 60 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 Princeton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 60 mi west-northwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 73 mi east-northeast | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 85 mi south | 7,600 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 Princeton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Princeton, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F3 on April 20, 2004, which passed about 13 miles southeast of town and caused 8 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 229 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 13, 2004.
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 Princeton'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.
Princeton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Princeton, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 60 miles west-northwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Princeton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Princeton the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Princeton 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 Princeton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- De Pue, IL radar 9 mi
- Ladd, IL radar 13 mi
- Walnut, IL radar 14 mi
- Granville, IL radar 14 mi
- Spring Valley, IL radar 15 mi
- Peru, IL radar 17 mi
- Henry, IL radar 19 mi
- LaSalle, IL radar 19 mi
- Oglesby, IL radar 21 mi
- Mendota, IL radar 22 mi