Essex, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Essex, Kankakee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Essex?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 129 days in the Kankakee forecast zone and Kankakee County — the most common reported hazard around Essex, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (38 days) and flooding (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 129 | Jun 2026 | Aug 23, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 30 | Dec 2025 | Feb 20, 2018 · $1.1 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jun 2020 | May 24, 2006 · $125,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | Dec 28, 2009 · 1 death |
| High winds | 13 | Nov 2022 | Oct 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Oct 2013 | Jul 16, 2009 · $500,000 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 Kankakee forecast zone and Kankakee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Essex get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Essex, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dwight weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.8 | 5.6 | 7.9 | 4.9 | 3.5 | 0.6 | 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 Essex?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 30 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 Essex | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 30 mi north | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 93 mi southwest | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 125 mi north | 13,500 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 Essex
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 130 tornadoes within 25 miles of Essex, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on August 28, 1990, which passed about 24 miles north-northeast of town and caused 29 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 216 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on April 23, 1961.
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 Essex'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.
Essex radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Essex, IL?
KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 30 miles north. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Essex?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Essex the lowest scan from KLOT is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Essex 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 Essex, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Braidwood, IL radar 6 mi
- Gardner, IL radar 6 mi
- Diamond, IL radar 8 mi
- Coal City, IL radar 8 mi
- Wilmington, IL radar 10 mi
- Herscher, IL radar 10 mi
- Limestone, IL radar 13 mi
- Dwight, IL radar 13 mi
- Bourbonnais, IL radar 16 mi
- Elwood, IL radar 17 mi