Rockford, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rockford, Mercer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rockford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 98 days in the Mercer forecast zone and Mercer County — the most common reported hazard around Rockford, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (50 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 98 | Jun 2026 | Jul 10, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 50 | Jun 2026 | Apr 26, 2019 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Jan 2026 | Jan 6, 1996 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Sep 2020 | Jul 8, 2003 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 16 | Feb 2023 | Sep 14, 2008 · $4.9 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Nov 2018 | — |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2019 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 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 Mercer forecast zone and Mercer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rockford get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Rockford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Celina 3 Ne weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.3 | 4.9 | 10.8 | 7.1 | 4.1 | 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 Rockford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 72 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 Rockford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 72 mi northwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| 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 | 110 mi southwest | 11,100 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 Rockford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 118 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rockford, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 25 miles east-northeast of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which touched down about 8 miles west of town.
Hail: 163 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 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 Rockford'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.
Rockford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rockford, OH?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 72 miles northwest. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rockford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rockford the lowest scan from KIWX is about 5,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rockford 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 Rockford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Celina, OH radar 10 mi
- Van Wert, OH radar 12 mi
- Coldwater, OH radar 14 mi
- Spencerville, OH radar 16 mi
- Convoy, OH radar 16 mi
- St. Marys, OH radar 17 mi
- St. Henry, OH radar 19 mi
- Delphos, OH radar 20 mi
- Fort Recovery, OH radar 20 mi
- New Bremen, OH radar 23 mi