Rock Falls, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rock Falls, Whiteside County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rock Falls?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 110 days in the Whiteside forecast zone and Whiteside County — the most common reported hazard around Rock Falls, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (72 days) and flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 110 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 72 | Nov 2025 | Jan 6, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 35 | Jul 2024 | May 23, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jun 2020 | Jul 29, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 16 | May 2019 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2019 | — |
| Blizzards | 6 | Mar 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 Whiteside forecast zone and Whiteside County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rock Falls get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Rock Falls, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rock Falls 3 Ne weather station 3.3 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 Rock Falls?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 47 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 Rock Falls | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 47 mi west-southwest | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 84 mi east | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 101 mi northeast | 9,800 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 Rock Falls
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Falls, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on April 9, 2015, which passed about 22 miles east-northeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 204 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 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 Rock Falls'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.
Rock Falls radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock Falls, IL?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 47 miles west-southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rock Falls?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rock Falls the lowest scan from KDVN is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rock Falls 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 Rock Falls, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Dixon, IL radar 12 mi
- Morrison, IL radar 14 mi
- Prophetstown, IL radar 14 mi
- Walnut, IL radar 16 mi
- Polo, IL radar 16 mi
- Amboy, IL radar 19 mi
- Erie, IL radar 21 mi
- Mount Morris, IL radar 23 mi
- Lanark, IL radar 24 mi