Washburn, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Washburn, Woodford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Washburn?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Woodford forecast zone and Woodford County — the most common reported hazard around Washburn, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (39 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Apr 20, 2000 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Dec 2025 | Dec 1, 2006 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Aug 2022 | Apr 17, 2013 · $13 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2026 | Apr 19, 2013 · $14 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Nov 2019 | Mar 24, 2009 · $6,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2021 | Dec 28, 2015 · $450,000 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 Woodford forecast zone and Woodford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Washburn get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Washburn, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Varna weather station 8.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 7.2 | 3.8 | 2.8 | 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 Washburn?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 53 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 Washburn | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 53 mi south | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 79 mi northeast | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 82 mi northwest | 7,200 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 Washburn
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 149 tornadoes within 25 miles of Washburn, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an EF4 on November 17, 2013, which passed about 9 miles southeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which passed about 18 miles south of town.
Hail: 288 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 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 Washburn'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.
Washburn radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Washburn, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 53 miles south. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Washburn?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Washburn the lowest scan from KILX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Washburn 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 Washburn, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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