San Jose, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for San Jose, Mason County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits San Jose?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 94 days in the Mason forecast zone and Mason County — the most common reported hazard around San Jose, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (38 days) and flash flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 94 | Jun 2026 | Aug 12, 1999 · $12 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Apr 2017 | May 12, 2002 · 1 death |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2021 | — |
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 Mason forecast zone and Mason County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does San Jose get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to San Jose, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mason City 4Se weather station 10 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 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 San Jose?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 18 miles southeast. 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 San Jose | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 18 mi southeast | 1,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 104 mi north-northwest | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 120 mi northeast | 12,700 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 San Jose
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 163 tornadoes within 25 miles of San Jose, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on November 17, 2013, which passed about 22 miles north of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles north of town.
Hail: 260 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 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 San Jose'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.
San Jose radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to San Jose, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 18 miles southeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in San Jose?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over San Jose the lowest scan from KILX is about 1,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for San Jose 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 San Jose, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Delavan, IL radar 6 mi
- Mason City, IL radar 9 mi
- Manito, IL radar 12 mi
- Lincoln, IL radar 16 mi
- Tremont, IL radar 16 mi
- Minier, IL radar 18 mi
- Pekin, IL radar 18 mi
- Atlanta, IL radar 20 mi
- Mackinaw, IL radar 21 mi
- North Pekin, IL radar 21 mi