Machesney Park, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Machesney Park, Winnebago County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Machesney Park?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 134 days in the Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County — the most common reported hazard around Machesney Park, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (48 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 134 | Jun 2026 | Aug 11, 2021 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 48 | Jun 2026 | Feb 20, 1997 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Jul 14, 2024 · 1 death |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Jun 2026 | Jun 5, 1999 · 2 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Jul 2023 | May 25, 2011 · $400,000 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 Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Machesney Park get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Machesney Park, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Roscoe 2 Se weather station 3.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 2.7 | 9.9 | 8.6 | 10.9 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 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 Machesney Park?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 48 miles north-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 Machesney Park | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 48 mi north-northeast | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 72 mi southeast | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 95 mi west-southwest | 9,000 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 Machesney Park
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 94 tornadoes within 25 miles of Machesney Park, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which passed about 12 miles south-southeast of town and caused 24 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 302 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 7, 2020.
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 Machesney Park'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.
Machesney Park radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Machesney Park, IL?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 48 miles north-northeast. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Machesney Park?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Machesney Park the lowest scan from KMKX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Machesney Park 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 Machesney Park, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Loves Park, IL radar 2 mi
- Roscoe, IL radar 4 mi
- Rockton, IL radar 6 mi
- Rockford, IL radar 8 mi
- South Beloit, IL radar 8 mi
- Poplar Grove, IL radar 9 mi
- Cherry Valley, IL radar 9 mi
- Belvidere, IL radar 10 mi
- Winnebago, IL radar 13 mi
- Capron, IL radar 15 mi