Macon, IL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for MaconWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Macon?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Macon forecast zone and Macon County — the most common reported hazard around Macon, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (37 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds124Jun 2026Aug 12, 1999 · $2.2 million damage
Flash flooding41Mar 2026Aug 26, 2014 · $20 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms37Jan 2026Dec 1, 2006 · $1.5 million damage
High winds18Sep 2024Mar 25, 1996 · 1 death
Excessive heat14Aug 2024—
Extreme cold & wind chill8Jan 2026—
Lightning casualties & damage4May 2019Feb 26, 2009 · $50,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet3Jan 2024—

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 Macon forecast zone and Macon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Macon get?

A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Macon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Decatur Wtp weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.9 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.00.43.55.92.50.90.40.0

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

Which radars cover Macon?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 35 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 MaconView
KILX
Lincoln, IL		35 mi north-northwest2,300 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLSX
St. Louis, MO		114 mi southwest11,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KVWX
Evansville, IN		121 mi southeast12,900 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 Macon

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 169 tornadoes within 25 miles of Macon, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 20, 1976, which passed about 12 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2025, which passed about 3 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 226 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 22, 1960.

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 Macon'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.

Macon radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Macon, IL?

KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 35 miles north-northwest. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Macon?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Macon the lowest scan from KILX is about 2,300 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

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