Sparland, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sparland, Marshall County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sparland?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County — the most common reported hazard around Sparland, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (44 days) and flash flooding (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 81 | Jun 2026 | May 6, 2012 · $900,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2021 | Apr 17, 2013 · $10 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 11 | Apr 2017 | Apr 18, 2013 · $5.5 million damage |
| High winds | 10 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2021 | Dec 18, 2008 · $250,000 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 Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sparland get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Sparland, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lacon weather station 1.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.1 | 5.2 | 8.1 | 6.2 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 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 Sparland?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 61 miles south. 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 Sparland | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 61 mi south | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 72 mi northwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 81 mi east-northeast | 7,000 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 Sparland
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sparland, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an EF4 on November 17, 2013, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 13, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles west of town.
Hail: 295 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 30, 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 Sparland'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.
Sparland radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sparland, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 61 miles south. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sparland?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sparland the lowest scan from KILX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sparland 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 Sparland, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lacon, IL radar 2 mi
- Henry, IL radar 7 mi
- Chillicothe, IL radar 8 mi
- Washburn, IL radar 11 mi
- Toluca, IL radar 16 mi
- Metamora, IL radar 17 mi
- Wyoming, IL radar 17 mi
- Princeville, IL radar 18 mi
- Dunlap, IL radar 18 mi
- Germantown Hills, IL radar 18 mi