Gifford, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Gifford, Champaign County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Gifford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 164 days in the Champaign forecast zone and Champaign County — the most common reported hazard around Gifford, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (55 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 164 | Jun 2026 | Jul 13, 2004 · $2.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 55 | Mar 2026 | Jul 12, 2014 · $47 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2011 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 23 | May 2025 | Mar 8, 2009 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2026 | Jan 20, 2024 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Jul 2013 | Apr 19, 2011 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | May 2024 | Feb 21, 2018 · $1.0 million 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 Champaign forecast zone and Champaign County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Gifford get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Gifford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Paxton 2 Wsw weather station 12 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 6.1 | 2.1 | 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 Gifford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 70 miles west. 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 Gifford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 70 mi west | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 90 mi north | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 101 mi east-southeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Gifford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 159 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gifford, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 20, 1976, which passed about 14 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 221 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 30, 2008.
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 Gifford'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.
Gifford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Gifford, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 70 miles west. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Gifford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gifford the lowest scan from KILX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Gifford 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 Gifford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rantoul, IL radar 7 mi
- Thomasboro, IL radar 10 mi
- Paxton, IL radar 11 mi
- St. Joseph, IL radar 13 mi
- Urbana, IL radar 17 mi
- Fisher, IL radar 17 mi
- Oakwood, IL radar 19 mi
- Champaign, IL radar 19 mi
- Rossville, IL radar 19 mi
- Homer, IL radar 19 mi