Waterloo, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Waterloo, Monroe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Waterloo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 73 days in the Monroe forecast zone and Monroe County — the most common reported hazard around Waterloo, mostly in June and May. Next come excessive heat (61 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Apr 2025 | May 6, 2003 · $400,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 61 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2025 | Dec 1, 2006 · $750,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Aug 2022 | May 25, 2008 · $6,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Jun 2019 | — |
| High winds | 6 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2024 | — |
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 Monroe forecast zone and Monroe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Waterloo get?
A normal year brings about 8.8 inches of snow to Waterloo, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Waterloo weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 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 Waterloo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 38 miles northwest. 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 Waterloo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 38 mi northwest | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 116 mi southeast | 12,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 132 mi east | 14,800 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 Waterloo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 154 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waterloo, 39 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on February 10, 1959, which passed about 21 miles north-northwest of town and caused 21 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 756 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 75 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 25, 2011.
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 Waterloo'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.
Waterloo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Waterloo, IL?
KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 38 miles northwest. KPAH (Paducah, KY) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Waterloo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Waterloo the lowest scan from KLSX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Waterloo 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 Waterloo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Freeburg, IL radar 14 mi
- Belleville, IL radar 15 mi
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