Strawn, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Strawn, Livingston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Strawn?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 95 days in the Livingston forecast zone and Livingston County — the most common reported hazard around Strawn, mostly in May and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flooding (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 95 | Jun 2026 | Jun 14, 2000 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 23 | Jun 2025 | Jan 8, 2008 · 1 death · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Apr 2026 | Aug 28, 2016 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 15 | May 2024 | — |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | 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 Livingston forecast zone and Livingston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Strawn get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Strawn, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fairbury Wwtp weather station 8.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 5.1 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 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 Strawn?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 60 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 Strawn | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 60 mi southwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 68 mi north-northeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 130 mi east-southeast | 14,400 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 Strawn
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 132 tornadoes within 25 miles of Strawn, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 7, 1954, which passed about 16 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 139 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 15, 2025.
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 Strawn'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.
Strawn radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Strawn, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 60 miles southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 68 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Strawn?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Strawn the lowest scan from KILX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Strawn 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 Strawn, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Forrest, IL radar 7 mi
- Chatsworth, IL radar 7 mi
- Fairbury, IL radar 9 mi
- Gibson City, IL radar 13 mi
- Chenoa, IL radar 18 mi
- Lexington, IL radar 20 mi
- Pontiac, IL radar 21 mi
- Paxton, IL radar 21 mi
- Onarga, IL radar 21 mi
- Gilman, IL radar 22 mi