Elgin, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elgin, Van Wert County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elgin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 111 days in the Van Wert forecast zone and Van Wert County — the most common reported hazard around Elgin, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (39 days) and high winds (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 111 | Jun 2026 | Jul 20, 2023 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | Jan 2, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | Jan 18, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jul 2017 | Jul 10, 2017 · $425,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jul 2015 | Jul 7, 2003 · $750,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2024 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2008 | Feb 24, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Mar 2023 | Aug 16, 2007 · $65,000 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 Van Wert forecast zone and Van Wert County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elgin get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Elgin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Van Wert 1 S weather station 9.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 6.2 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 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 Elgin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 77 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 Elgin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 77 mi northwest | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 98 mi south-southeast | 9,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 119 mi southwest | 12,600 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 Elgin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elgin, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 15 miles east-northeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles west of town.
Hail: 184 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 26, 2014.
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 Elgin'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.
Elgin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elgin, OH?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 77 miles northwest. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elgin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elgin the lowest scan from KIWX is about 6,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Elgin 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 Elgin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Spencerville, OH radar 7 mi
- Rockford, OH radar 10 mi
- Delphos, OH radar 10 mi
- Van Wert, OH radar 10 mi
- Celina, OH radar 14 mi
- St. Marys, OH radar 14 mi
- Elida, OH radar 15 mi
- Convoy, OH radar 17 mi
- Cridersville, OH radar 19 mi
- Lima, OH radar 19 mi