Ellsworth, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ellsworth, McLean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ellsworth?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 145 days in the McLean forecast zone and McLean County — the most common reported hazard around Ellsworth, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 145 | Jun 2026 | Jun 27, 2009 · 1 death · $35,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Dec 2025 | Dec 1, 2006 · 1 death · $400,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jun 2026 | Jun 25, 2021 · $12 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | May 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Aug 2024 | Aug 25, 2014 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2026 | Jan 23, 2024 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2021 | Dec 28, 2015 · 2 deaths · $975,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2026 | — |
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 McLean forecast zone and McLean County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ellsworth get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Ellsworth, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Normal 4Ne weather station 14.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 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 Ellsworth?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 39 miles west-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 Ellsworth | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 39 mi west-southwest | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 86 mi north-northeast | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 126 mi northwest | 13,800 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 Ellsworth
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 171 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ellsworth, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1977, which passed about 23 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles east of town.
Hail: 205 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 13, 2004.
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 Ellsworth'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.
Ellsworth radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ellsworth, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 39 miles west-southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ellsworth?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ellsworth the lowest scan from KILX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Le Roy, IL radar 8 mi
- Downs, IL radar 10 mi
- Bloomington, IL radar 13 mi
- Lexington, IL radar 14 mi
- Farmer City, IL radar 14 mi
- Normal, IL radar 15 mi
- Heyworth, IL radar 17 mi
- Gibson City, IL radar 18 mi
- Hudson, IL radar 18 mi
- Chenoa, IL radar 20 mi