Franklin, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Franklin, Morgan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Franklin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Morgan forecast zone and Morgan County — the most common reported hazard around Franklin, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and flash flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2026 | Aug 12, 1999 · $12 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Aug 2022 | Sep 20, 2009 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Aug 2024 | Jul 20, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 14 | May 2020 | — |
| High winds | 9 | Nov 2019 | Mar 24, 2009 · $12,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2015 · 2 deaths |
| Blizzards | 4 | Dec 2012 | Feb 1, 2011 · $220,000 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 Morgan forecast zone and Morgan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Franklin get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Franklin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jacksonville 2E weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 5.1 | 4.3 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 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 Franklin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 53 miles 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 Franklin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 53 mi northeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 72 mi south-southwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 140 mi north-northwest | 16,300 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 Franklin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 136 tornadoes within 25 miles of Franklin, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F4 on June 14, 1957, which passed about 21 miles east-northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which passed about 13 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 283 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 14, 2024.
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 Franklin'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.
Franklin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Franklin, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 53 miles northeast. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Franklin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Franklin the lowest scan from KILX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Franklin 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 Franklin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Waverly, IL radar 5 mi
- New Berlin, IL radar 10 mi
- South Jacksonville, IL radar 11 mi
- Jacksonville, IL radar 12 mi
- Auburn, IL radar 16 mi
- Virden, IL radar 17 mi
- Girard, IL radar 19 mi
- Ashland, IL radar 19 mi
- Chatham, IL radar 19 mi
- Roodhouse, IL radar 20 mi