Towanda, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Towanda, McLean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Towanda?
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 Towanda, 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 Towanda get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Towanda, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Normal 4Ne weather station 2.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 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 Towanda?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 37 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 Towanda | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 37 mi southwest | 2,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 84 mi north-northeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 114 mi northwest | 11,700 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 Towanda
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 178 tornadoes within 25 miles of Towanda, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on November 17, 2013, which passed about 23 miles northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 202 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 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 Towanda'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.
Towanda radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Towanda, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 37 miles southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Towanda?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Towanda the lowest scan from KILX is about 2,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Towanda 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 Towanda, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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