Leaf River, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Leaf River, Ogle County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Leaf River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 117 days in the Ogle forecast zone and Ogle County — the most common reported hazard around Leaf River, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (40 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 117 | Jun 2026 | Aug 4, 2008 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Mar 2026 | Dec 11, 2010 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2026 | Jan 4, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jul 2025 | Jul 24, 2010 · $268,000 damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Apr 2023 | — |
| High winds | 13 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2023 | — |
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 Ogle forecast zone and Ogle County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Leaf River get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Leaf River, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oregon weather station 9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.5 | 6.7 | 13.6 | 6.7 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 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 Leaf River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 70 miles west-southwest. 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 Leaf River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 70 mi west-southwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 73 mi northeast | 6,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 77 mi east-southeast | 6,500 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 Leaf River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 87 tornadoes within 25 miles of Leaf River, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and May. The strongest was an EF4 on April 9, 2015, which passed about 17 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 15, 2024, which passed about 16 miles west of town.
Hail: 276 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 13, 2004.
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 Leaf River'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.
Leaf River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Leaf River, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 70 miles west-southwest. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 73 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Leaf River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Leaf River the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Leaf River 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 Leaf River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Byron, IL radar 7 mi
- Oregon, IL radar 8 mi
- Forreston, IL radar 9 mi
- Stillman Valley, IL radar 12 mi
- Pecatonica, IL radar 13 mi
- Polo, IL radar 13 mi
- Winnebago, IL radar 13 mi
- Davis Junction, IL radar 16 mi
- Freeport, IL radar 16 mi