Wapella, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wapella, De Witt County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wapella?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the De Witt forecast zone and De Witt County — the most common reported hazard around Wapella, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and flash flooding (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | Dec 1, 2006 · $450,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Apr 2025 | Aug 26, 2014 · $5.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| High winds | 12 | Nov 2019 | Dec 14, 2015 · $40,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2021 | — |
| Blizzards | 4 | Dec 2012 | — |
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 De Witt forecast zone and De Witt County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Wapella?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 20 miles west-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 Wapella | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 20 mi west-southwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 106 mi north-northeast | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 128 mi northwest | 14,100 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 Wapella
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 202 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wapella, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1977, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 18, 2025, which passed about 10 miles east of town.
Hail: 242 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 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 Wapella'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.
Wapella radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wapella, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 20 miles west-southwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wapella?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wapella the lowest scan from KILX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Wapella 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 Wapella, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Clinton, IL radar 5 mi
- Heyworth, IL radar 7 mi
- Downs, IL radar 13 mi
- Maroa, IL radar 13 mi
- Le Roy, IL radar 13 mi
- Atlanta, IL radar 15 mi
- Farmer City, IL radar 17 mi
- Bloomington, IL radar 18 mi
- Forsyth, IL radar 20 mi
- Normal, IL radar 21 mi