Butler, IN Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Butler, De Kalb County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Butler?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the De Kalb forecast zone and De Kalb County — the most common reported hazard around Butler, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (31 days) and high winds (10 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds60Mar 2025Aug 9, 2011 · 1 death
Heavy snow & winter storms31Jan 2026—
High winds10Nov 2019—
Extreme cold & wind chill5Jan 2024—
Flooding4Jul 2025Sep 11, 2000 · $250,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet4Dec 2008Feb 24, 2007 · $25,000 damage
Flash flooding4May 2010May 17, 1996 · 1 death · $105,000 damage
Blizzards2Feb 2011—

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 De Kalb forecast zone and De Kalb County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Butler get?

A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Butler, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Garrett 1 S weather station 14.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.6 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.12.57.110.69.74.81.20.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Butler?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 43 miles west. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over ButlerView
KIWX
Fort Wayne, IN
43 mi west2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KGRR
Grand Rapids, MI
107 mi north-northwest10,700 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDTX
Detroit, MI
114 mi northeast11,700 ftLimited — 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 Butler

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 66 tornadoes within 25 miles of Butler, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 24 miles north-northwest of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 30, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west-southwest of town.

Hail: 180 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 7, 2024.

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 Butler'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.

Butler radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Butler, IN?

KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 43 miles west. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Butler?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Butler the lowest scan from KIWX is about 2,900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Butler 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 Butler, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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