Forrest, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Forrest, Livingston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Forrest?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 95 days in the Livingston forecast zone and Livingston County — the most common reported hazard around Forrest, mostly in May and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flooding (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 95 | Jun 2026 | Jun 14, 2000 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 23 | Jun 2025 | Jan 8, 2008 · 1 death · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Apr 2026 | Aug 28, 2016 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 15 | May 2024 | — |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2021 | — |
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 Livingston forecast zone and Livingston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Forrest get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Forrest, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fairbury Wwtp weather station 4.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 5.1 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 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 Forrest?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 61 miles north-northeast. 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 Forrest | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 61 mi north-northeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 64 mi southwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 128 mi west-northwest | 14,000 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 Forrest
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Forrest, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 7, 1954, which passed about 9 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 128 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 15, 2025.
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 Forrest'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.
Forrest radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Forrest, IL?
KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 61 miles north-northeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 64 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Forrest?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Forrest the lowest scan from KLOT is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Forrest 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 Forrest, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fairbury, IL radar 6 mi
- Chatsworth, IL radar 6 mi
- Pontiac, IL radar 15 mi
- Chenoa, IL radar 17 mi
- Gibson City, IL radar 20 mi
- Lexington, IL radar 21 mi
- Onarga, IL radar 21 mi
- Gilman, IL radar 21 mi
- Dwight, IL radar 24 mi
- Gridley, IL radar 25 mi