Winnebago, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Winnebago, Winnebago County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Winnebago?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 134 days in the Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County — the most common reported hazard around Winnebago, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (48 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 134 | Jun 2026 | Aug 11, 2021 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 48 | Jun 2026 | Feb 20, 1997 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Jul 14, 2024 · 1 death |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Jun 2026 | Jun 5, 1999 · 2 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Jul 2023 | May 25, 2011 · $400,000 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 Winnebago forecast zone and Winnebago County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Winnebago get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Winnebago, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rockford Gtr Rockford Ap weather station 8.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.3 | 9.4 | 10.9 | 8.5 | 4.9 | 0.9 | 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 Winnebago?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 60 miles northeast. 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 Winnebago | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 60 mi northeast | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 75 mi southeast | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 83 mi west-southwest | 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 Winnebago
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 97 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winnebago, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which passed about 16 miles east-southeast of town and caused 24 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles east of town.
Hail: 294 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 7, 2020.
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 Winnebago'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.
Winnebago radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Winnebago, IL?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 60 miles northeast. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Winnebago?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Winnebago the lowest scan from KMKX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Winnebago 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 Winnebago, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pecatonica, IL radar 7 mi
- Rockford, IL radar 9 mi
- Byron, IL radar 10 mi
- Stillman Valley, IL radar 12 mi
- Durand, IL radar 12 mi
- Machesney Park, IL radar 13 mi
- Davis Junction, IL radar 13 mi
- Loves Park, IL radar 13 mi
- Cherry Valley, IL radar 13 mi
- Rockton, IL radar 15 mi