Watseka, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watseka, Iroquois County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watseka?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 109 days in the Iroquois forecast zone and Iroquois County — the most common reported hazard around Watseka, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (32 days) and flash flooding (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 109 | Jun 2026 | Jul 27, 2006 · $712,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 32 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 23 | Aug 2023 | Feb 4, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 21 | Feb 2023 | Jan 8, 2008 · $3.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | Jan 21, 2011 · 1 death |
| High winds | 14 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | 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 Iroquois forecast zone and Iroquois County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Watseka get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Watseka, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Watseka 2 Nw weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 1.6 | 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 Watseka?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 60 miles north-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 Watseka | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 60 mi north-northwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 95 mi west-southwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 106 mi southeast | 10,500 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 Watseka
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watseka, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on March 12, 1976, which passed about 16 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 157 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 8, 1981.
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 Watseka'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.
Watseka radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watseka, IL?
KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 60 miles north-northwest. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watseka?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watseka the lowest scan from KLOT is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watseka 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 Watseka, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Gilman, IL radar 14 mi
- Onarga, IL radar 15 mi
- Clifton, IL radar 15 mi
- St. Anne, IL radar 17 mi
- Chebanse, IL radar 18 mi
- Hoopeston, IL radar 22 mi
- Kankakee, IL radar 24 mi
- Herscher, IL radar 27 mi
- Momence, IL radar 27 mi