Channel Lake, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Channel Lake, Lake County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Channel Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Lake forecast zone and Lake County — the most common reported hazard around Channel Lake, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | Jun 2026 | Aug 7, 2007 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Dec 2025 | Jan 27, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 40 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jul 2024 | Jul 12, 2017 · $13 million damage |
| High winds | 32 | Apr 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 21 | Sep 2018 | Jun 3, 2002 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2026 | Jul 28, 1999 · 3 deaths |
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 Lake forecast zone and Lake County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Channel Lake get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Channel Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake Villa 2Ne weather station 5.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (15.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 3.1 | 9.2 | 15.7 | 8.0 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 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 Channel Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 39 miles north-northwest. 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 Channel Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 39 mi north-northwest | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 61 mi south | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 135 mi east-northeast | 15,400 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 Channel Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Channel Lake, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which passed about 17 miles west-southwest of town and caused 24 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 22, 2024, which passed about 19 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 362 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 23, 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 Channel Lake'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.
Channel Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Channel Lake, IL?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 39 miles north-northwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 61 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Channel Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Channel Lake the lowest scan from KMKX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Channel Lake 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 Channel Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.