Nelson, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Nelson, Lee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Nelson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Lee forecast zone and Lee County — the most common reported hazard around Nelson, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (41 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | Jun 24, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Aug 2025 | May 13, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jun 2020 | — |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2019 | — |
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 Lee forecast zone and Lee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Nelson get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Nelson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rock Falls 3 Ne weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.8 | 7.9 | 9.0 | 6.4 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 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 Nelson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 52 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 Nelson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 52 mi west-southwest | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 80 mi east | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 97 mi north-northeast | 9,200 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 Nelson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Nelson, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on April 9, 2015, which passed about 17 miles east-northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 206 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 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 Nelson'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.
Nelson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Nelson, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 52 miles west-southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 80 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Nelson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Nelson the lowest scan from KDVN is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Nelson 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 Nelson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sterling, IL radar 5 mi
- Rock Falls, IL radar 5 mi
- Dixon, IL radar 7 mi
- Polo, IL radar 13 mi
- Amboy, IL radar 15 mi
- Walnut, IL radar 17 mi
- Morrison, IL radar 18 mi
- Prophetstown, IL radar 19 mi
- Mount Morris, IL radar 20 mi
- Oregon, IL radar 20 mi