Zion, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Zion, Lake County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Zion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Lake forecast zone and Lake County — the most common reported hazard around Zion, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | Jun 2026 | Aug 7, 2007 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Dec 2025 | Jan 27, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 40 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jul 2024 | Jul 12, 2017 · $13 million damage |
| High winds | 32 | Apr 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 21 | Sep 2018 | Jun 3, 2002 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Jun 2026 | Jul 28, 1999 · 3 deaths |
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 Lake forecast zone and Lake County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Zion get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Zion, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kenosha weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.5 | 7.0 | 11.3 | 9.8 | 5.7 | 0.8 | 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 Zion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 50 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 Zion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 50 mi northwest | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 60 mi south-southwest | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 121 mi east-northeast | 12,900 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 Zion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 48 tornadoes within 25 miles of Zion, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 21 miles southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 22, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 248 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 23, 1960.
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 Zion'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.
Zion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Zion, IL?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 50 miles northwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 60 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Zion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Zion the lowest scan from KMKX is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Zion 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 Zion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Gurnee, IL radar 8 mi
- Park City, IL radar 8 mi
- Lindenhurst, IL radar 9 mi
- North Chicago, IL radar 10 mi
- Third Lake, IL radar 10 mi
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