Pecatonica, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pecatonica, Winnebago County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pecatonica?
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 Pecatonica, 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 Pecatonica get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Pecatonica, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Freeport Waste Wtp weather station 12.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.6 | 8.9 | 9.7 | 8.5 | 3.8 | 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 Pecatonica?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 61 miles 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 Pecatonica | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 61 mi northeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 79 mi southwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 82 mi southeast | 7,100 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 Pecatonica
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 94 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pecatonica, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which passed about 23 miles east-southeast of town and caused 24 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles east of town.
Hail: 300 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 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 Pecatonica'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.
Pecatonica radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pecatonica, IL?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 61 miles northeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pecatonica?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pecatonica the lowest scan from KMKX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pecatonica 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 Pecatonica, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Winnebago, IL radar 7 mi
- Durand, IL radar 9 mi
- Byron, IL radar 14 mi
- Freeport, IL radar 14 mi
- Rockford, IL radar 15 mi
- Stillman Valley, IL radar 17 mi
- Forreston, IL radar 17 mi
- Machesney Park, IL radar 17 mi
- Rockton, IL radar 18 mi
- Mount Morris, IL radar 18 mi