Van Buren, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Van Buren, Grant County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Van Buren?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 90 days in the Grant forecast zone and Grant County — the most common reported hazard around Van Buren, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (35 days) and flooding (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 90 | Jun 2026 | Nov 6, 2005 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Jun 2015 | Jan 22, 1999 · 2 deaths |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2026 | Mar 13, 2026 · $8,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Aug 2014 | Aug 4, 1998 · $1.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Feb 24, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Mar 2025 | Mar 15, 2025 · $35,000 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 Grant forecast zone and Grant County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Van Buren get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Van Buren, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Marion 2 N weather station 8.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 8.1 | 6.3 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 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 Van Buren?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 52 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 Van Buren | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 52 mi north | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 75 mi south-southwest | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 121 mi southeast | 13,000 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 Van Buren
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Van Buren, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 7 miles south of town and caused 25 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 22 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 259 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-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 Van Buren'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.
Van Buren radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Van Buren, IN?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 52 miles north. KIND (Indianapolis, IN) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Van Buren?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Van Buren the lowest scan from KIWX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Van Buren 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 Van Buren, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Warren, IN radar 6 mi
- Marion, IN radar 9 mi
- Gas City, IN radar 10 mi
- Upland, IN radar 11 mi
- Jonesboro, IN radar 12 mi
- Montpelier, IN radar 12 mi
- Hartford City, IN radar 13 mi
- Sweetser, IN radar 14 mi
- Fairmount, IN radar 16 mi
- Markle, IN radar 17 mi