Buffalo, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo, Sangamon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 183 days in the Sangamon forecast zone and Sangamon County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 183 | Jun 2026 | May 27, 2013 · $415,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 58 | Jun 2026 | Jun 17, 2011 · $13 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | Dec 13, 2025 · 1 death |
| High winds | 23 | Dec 2025 | Feb 11, 2009 · $3.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Aug 2024 | Jul 22, 2005 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 16 | Jun 2026 | Jun 18, 2011 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Sep 2019 | Apr 9, 2011 · $1.8 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2, 1996 · 1 death |
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 Sangamon forecast zone and Sangamon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buffalo get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Buffalo, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sherman weather station 11.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 7.2 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 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 Buffalo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), 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 Buffalo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 21 mi north | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 105 mi southwest | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 136 mi north-northwest | 15,600 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 Buffalo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 205 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 14, 1957, which passed about 12 miles west-southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2025, which passed about 17 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 339 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 22, 1960.
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 Buffalo'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.
Buffalo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 21 miles north. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo the lowest scan from KILX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo 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 Buffalo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Riverton, IL radar 7 mi
- Rochester, IL radar 10 mi
- Williamsville, IL radar 10 mi
- Sherman, IL radar 11 mi
- Grandview, IL radar 11 mi
- Mount Pulaski, IL radar 13 mi
- Springfield, IL radar 13 mi
- Edinburg, IL radar 13 mi
- Southern View, IL radar 14 mi
- Jerome, IL radar 15 mi