Rochester, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rochester, Sangamon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rochester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 183 days in the Sangamon forecast zone and Sangamon County — the most common reported hazard around Rochester, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 183 | Jun 2026 | May 27, 2013 · $415,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 58 | Jun 2026 | Jun 17, 2011 · $13 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | Dec 13, 2025 · 1 death |
| High winds | 23 | Dec 2025 | Feb 11, 2009 · $3.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Aug 2024 | Jul 22, 2005 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 16 | Jun 2026 | Jun 18, 2011 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Sep 2019 | Apr 9, 2011 · $1.8 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2, 1996 · 1 death |
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 Sangamon forecast zone and Sangamon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rochester get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Rochester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Springfield Capital Ap weather station 11.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.2 | 4.3 | 6.7 | 6.1 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 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 Rochester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 30 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 Rochester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 30 mi north-northeast | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 95 mi southwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 141 mi north-northwest | 16,400 ft | Limited — 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 Rochester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 184 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rochester, 41 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 14, 1957, which passed about 6 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2025, which passed about 20 miles east of town.
Hail: 325 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on May 7, 2023.
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 Rochester'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.
Rochester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rochester, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 30 miles north-northeast. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rochester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rochester the lowest scan from KILX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rochester 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 Rochester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Southern View, IL radar 7 mi
- Riverton, IL radar 7 mi
- Grandview, IL radar 7 mi
- Springfield, IL radar 7 mi
- Jerome, IL radar 9 mi
- Leland Grove, IL radar 9 mi
- Edinburg, IL radar 9 mi
- Chatham, IL radar 10 mi
- Pawnee, IL radar 11 mi
- Sherman, IL radar 11 mi