Galena, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Galena, Jo Daviess County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Galena?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 108 days in the Jo Daviess forecast zone and Jo Daviess County — the most common reported hazard around Galena, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (84 days) and flash flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 108 | Jun 2026 | Apr 5, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Nov 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Jul 27, 2011 · 3 deaths · $7.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Jul 2024 | May 20, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2019 | — |
| High winds | 16 | Dec 2021 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Aug 2013 | — |
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 Jo Daviess forecast zone and Jo Daviess County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Galena get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Galena, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Galena weather station 2.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.0 | 9.5 | 10.3 | 9.0 | 5.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Galena?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 57 miles south. 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 Galena | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 57 mi south | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 103 mi east-northeast | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 104 mi north-northwest | 10,200 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 Galena
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Galena, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 18 miles south of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 249 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 38 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 19, 1994.
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 Galena'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.
Galena radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Galena, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 57 miles south. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Galena?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Galena the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Galena 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 Galena, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Stockton, IL radar 22 mi
- Warren, IL radar 23 mi
- Savanna, IL radar 27 mi
- Lena, IL radar 31 mi
- Mount Carroll, IL radar 32 mi
- Thomson, IL radar 35 mi
- Lanark, IL radar 38 mi
- Fulton, IL radar 41 mi
- Freeport, IL radar 42 mi