McLean, IL Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for McLeanWhat TALON shows

What weather hits McLean?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 145 days in the McLean forecast zone and McLean County — the most common reported hazard around McLean, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (35 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds145Jun 2026Jun 27, 2009 · 1 death · $35,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms42Dec 2025Dec 1, 2006 · 1 death · $400,000 damage
Flash flooding35Jun 2026Jun 25, 2021 · $12 million damage
High winds18May 2025—
Excessive heat18Aug 2024Aug 25, 2014 · 1 death
Extreme cold & wind chill16Jan 2026Jan 23, 2024 · 1 death
Ice storms & sleet10Jan 2021Dec 28, 2015 · 2 deaths · $975,000 damage
Flooding8Jun 2026—

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

How much snow does McLean get?

A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to McLean, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lincoln weather station 14.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.10.64.95.76.21.80.00.0

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

Which radars cover McLean?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 14 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over McLeanView
KILX
Lincoln, IL		14 mi southwest800 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KLOT
Chicago, IL		106 mi north-northeast10,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDVN
Quad Cities, IA		116 mi northwest12,100 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 McLean

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 187 tornadoes within 25 miles of McLean, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1977, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 18, 2025, which passed about 22 miles east-southeast of town.

Hail: 257 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 2003.

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 McLean'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.

McLean radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to McLean, IL?

KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 14 miles southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in McLean?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McLean the lowest scan from KILX is about 800 ft up.

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

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