Shirley, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Shirley, McLean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Shirley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 145 days in the McLean forecast zone and McLean County — the most common reported hazard around Shirley, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 145 | Jun 2026 | Jun 27, 2009 · 1 death · $35,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Dec 2025 | Dec 1, 2006 · 1 death · $400,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jun 2026 | Jun 25, 2021 · $12 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | May 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Aug 2024 | Aug 25, 2014 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2026 | Jan 23, 2024 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2021 | Dec 28, 2015 · 2 deaths · $975,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 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 McLean forecast zone and McLean County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Shirley get?
A normal year brings about 6.5 inches of snow to Shirley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bloomington Wtr Wks weather station 7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (2.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 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 Shirley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 23 miles 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 Shirley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 23 mi southwest | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 97 mi north-northeast | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 115 mi northwest | 11,900 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 Shirley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 192 tornadoes within 25 miles of Shirley, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1977, which passed about 6 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 18, 2025, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 230 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 Shirley'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.
Shirley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Shirley, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 23 miles southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Shirley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Shirley the lowest scan from KILX is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Shirley 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 Shirley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bloomington, IL radar 7 mi
- Heyworth, IL radar 7 mi
- Normal, IL radar 9 mi
- Downs, IL radar 9 mi
- Danvers, IL radar 10 mi
- Minier, IL radar 13 mi
- Atlanta, IL radar 13 mi
- Hudson, IL radar 14 mi
- Le Roy, IL radar 17 mi
- Mackinaw, IL radar 18 mi