Champaign, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Champaign, Champaign County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Champaign?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 164 days in the Champaign forecast zone and Champaign County — the most common reported hazard around Champaign, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (55 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 164 | Jun 2026 | Jul 13, 2004 · $2.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 55 | Mar 2026 | Jul 12, 2014 · $47 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2011 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 23 | May 2025 | Mar 8, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2026 | Jan 20, 2024 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Jul 2013 | Apr 19, 2011 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | May 2024 | Feb 21, 2018 · $1.0 million 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 Champaign forecast zone and Champaign County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Champaign get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Champaign, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Champaign 3S weather station 2.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.9 | 4.8 | 6.5 | 5.8 | 2.5 | 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 Champaign?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 56 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Champaign | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 56 mi west | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 103 mi north | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 109 mi east-southeast | 11,000 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 Champaign
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 163 tornadoes within 25 miles of Champaign, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on March 20, 1976, which passed about 8 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 193 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 30, 2008.
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 Champaign'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.
Champaign radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Champaign, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 56 miles west. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Champaign?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Champaign the lowest scan from KILX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Champaign 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 Champaign, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Savoy, IL radar 4 mi
- Urbana, IL radar 4 mi
- Mahomet, IL radar 8 mi
- Tolono, IL radar 9 mi
- Philo, IL radar 10 mi
- Thomasboro, IL radar 10 mi
- Sidney, IL radar 12 mi
- St. Joseph, IL radar 13 mi
- Rantoul, IL radar 14 mi
- Fisher, IL radar 14 mi