Gilson, IL Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Gilson, Knox County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for GilsonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Gilson?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 128 days in the Knox forecast zone and Knox County — the most common reported hazard around Gilson, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and flash flooding (33 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds128Jun 2026Aug 23, 2007 · 1 death · $1.4 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms45Dec 2025—
Flash flooding33Jun 2026Apr 18, 2013 · $40 million damage
Excessive heat14Aug 2024—
Extreme cold & wind chill11Jan 2026—
High winds11Nov 2019Nov 10, 1998 · $60,000 damage
Flooding11May 2013May 16, 2009 · $1.5 million damage
Ice storms & sleet9Jan 2021Dec 28, 2015 · $375,000 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 Knox forecast zone and Knox County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Gilson get?

A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Gilson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Knoxville weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.7 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.21.45.96.47.73.40.40.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Gilson?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 55 miles north-northwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over GilsonView
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		55 mi north-northwest4,100 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KILX
Lincoln, IL		67 mi southeast5,300 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KLOT
Chicago, IL		121 mi east-northeast12,900 ftLimited — 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 Gilson

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 115 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gilson, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 13, 1995, which passed about 15 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 3, 2025, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town.

Hail: 235 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 1995.

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 Gilson'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.

Gilson radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Gilson, IL?

KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 55 miles north-northwest. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 67 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Gilson?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gilson the lowest scan from KDVN is about 4,100 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Gilson 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 Gilson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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