Apple River, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Apple River, Jo Daviess County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Apple River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 108 days in the Jo Daviess forecast zone and Jo Daviess County — the most common reported hazard around Apple River, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (84 days) and flash flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 108 | Jun 2026 | Apr 5, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Jul 27, 2011 · 3 deaths · $7.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Jul 2024 | May 20, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2019 | — |
| High winds | 16 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Excessive heat | 4 | 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 Jo Daviess forecast zone and Jo Daviess County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Apple River get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Apple River, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Apple Rvr Canyon St Pk weather station 4.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.1 | 7.9 | 10.5 | 7.7 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 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 Apple River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 66 miles south-southwest. 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 Apple River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 66 mi south-southwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 85 mi east-northeast | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 107 mi north-northwest | 10,600 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 Apple River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 87 tornadoes within 25 miles of Apple River, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on April 16, 1967, which passed about 8 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 17 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 198 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 13, 2006.
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 Apple River'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.
Apple River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Apple River, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 66 miles south-southwest. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Apple River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Apple River the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Apple River 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 Apple River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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