Rochester, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rochester, Fulton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rochester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 75 days in the Fulton forecast zone and Fulton County — the most common reported hazard around Rochester, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (36 days) and high winds (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Jun 2026 | Jul 4, 2003 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Feb 2018 | Jan 8, 2008 · 2 deaths · $125,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Feb 24, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2011 | Aug 7, 2011 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2013 | Jul 22, 1998 · $150,000 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 Fulton forecast zone and Fulton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rochester get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Rochester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rochester weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (10.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 10.7 | 8.0 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 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 Rochester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 33 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 Rochester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 33 mi northeast | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 94 mi south | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 105 mi west-northwest | 10,300 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 Rochester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 94 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rochester, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 2 miles northwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 14 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 167 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 19, 2009.
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 Rochester'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.
Rochester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rochester, IN?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 33 miles northeast. KIND (Indianapolis, IN) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rochester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rochester the lowest scan from KIWX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rochester 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 Rochester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Akron, IN radar 9 mi
- Argos, IN radar 13 mi
- Culver, IN radar 16 mi
- Bourbon, IN radar 17 mi
- Plymouth, IN radar 21 mi
- Winamac, IN radar 21 mi
- Peru, IN radar 22 mi
- Warsaw, IN radar 22 mi
- North Manchester, IN radar 22 mi
- Winona Lake, IN radar 23 mi