DeKalb, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for DeKalb, De Kalb County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits DeKalb?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 127 days in the De Kalb forecast zone and De Kalb County — the most common reported hazard around DeKalb, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 127 | Jun 2026 | May 20, 2014 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Dec 2025 | Jan 26, 2014 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Aug 2025 | Sep 14, 2008 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Jun 2026 | Aug 23, 2007 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 17 | Jun 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 6 | Feb 2015 | — |
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 De Kalb forecast zone and De Kalb County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does DeKalb get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to DeKalb, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the De Kalb weather station 1.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.8 | 6.6 | 10.2 | 8.7 | 4.4 | 1.3 | 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 DeKalb?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 41 miles east-southeast. 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 DeKalb | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 41 mi east-southeast | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 73 mi north | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 97 mi west-southwest | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 DeKalb
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 123 tornadoes within 25 miles of DeKalb, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which passed about 22 miles north-northwest of town and caused 24 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 285 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on September 21, 1973.
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 DeKalb'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.
DeKalb radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to DeKalb, IL?
KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 41 miles east-southeast. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in DeKalb?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over DeKalb the lowest scan from KLOT is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for DeKalb 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 DeKalb, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cortland, IL radar 3 mi
- Sycamore, IL radar 6 mi
- Malta, IL radar 6 mi
- Maple Park, IL radar 7 mi
- Waterman, IL radar 11 mi
- Genoa, IL radar 12 mi
- Kingston, IL radar 12 mi
- Hinckley, IL radar 12 mi
- Kirkland, IL radar 12 mi
- Lily Lake, IL radar 14 mi