What should you know about Rockford's weather?
- NWS office
- Chicago (LOT)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 716 ft
- Coordinates
- 42.27° N, 89.09° W
- Nearest radar
- KMKX · Milwaukee NEXRAD · 55 mi
- County
- Winnebago County, IL
- Yearly rain
- 37.2 in
- Warmest month
- July · 73.8°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 21.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Rockford get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 29.1 | 33.4 | 46.5 | 59.7 | 71.2 | 80.7 | 83.9 | 82.0 | 75.3 | 62.3 | 47.1 | 34.3 |
| Low °F | 14.5 | 17.8 | 28.1 | 38.5 | 49.5 | 59.6 | 63.6 | 61.8 | 53.5 | 41.8 | 30.5 | 20.2 |
| Rain (in) | 1.60 | 1.63 | 2.40 | 3.75 | 4.18 | 5.23 | 3.81 | 4.19 | 3.62 | 2.63 | 2.27 | 1.93 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29.1 | 14.5 | 1.60 |
| Feb | 33.4 | 17.8 | 1.63 |
| Mar | 46.5 | 28.1 | 2.40 |
| Apr | 59.7 | 38.5 | 3.75 |
| May | 71.2 | 49.5 | 4.18 |
| Jun | 80.7 | 59.6 | 5.23 |
| Jul | 83.9 | 63.6 | 3.81 |
| Aug | 82.0 | 61.8 | 4.19 |
| Sep | 75.3 | 53.5 | 3.62 |
| Oct | 62.3 | 41.8 | 2.63 |
| Nov | 47.1 | 30.5 | 2.27 |
| Dec | 34.3 | 20.2 | 1.93 |
ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US · 5 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What happened in the 1928 Rockford tornado?
On September 14, 1928, a tornado touched down on Rockford's south side and killed 14 people. NWS Chicago says it injured at least 100 more along a path of 25.8 miles. At the Rockford Chair and Furniture Company's Factory B on Peoples Avenue, most of the building collapsed and eight people died. The tornado was on the ground from about 3:20 PM CDT to about 4:05 PM.
What are Rockford's record high and low temperatures?
Rockford's all-time high is 112°F, set on July 14, 1936. Its all-time low is -31°F, set on January 31, 2019 at Chicago Rockford International Airport. That reading broke the city's all-time record for cold. Radar is no help in that kind of cold, so watch the hourly forecast and NWS Chicago wind chill alerts.
Where does flash flooding hit Rockford?
Keith Creek on the east and southeast side is a documented trouble spot, with flash flooding there in 1928 and 2007. On August 7, 2007, nearly 7 inches of rain fell on the southeast side of Rockford. It appears the most intense rain fell between midnight and 4 AM. NWS Chicago mapped the event with rainfall estimates from its Chicago WSR-88D Doppler radar. July 1952 is still the wettest July on record in Rockford, with 11.81 inches.
How much snow can Rockford get in a winter?
A normal year brings 37.1 inches of snow under 1991 to 2020 normals, but big seasons run about twice that. The snowiest season on record was 1978-79 with 74.5 inches. The most snow on a single calendar day was 13.5 inches on March 31, 1926. Radar shows where snow is falling, not how deep it gets, so check the NWS Chicago snowfall forecast too.
Why does Rockford weather radar come from Milwaukee?
Because the nearest NEXRAD station is the Milwaukee radar, KMKX, about 55 miles from the city center. At that range the lowest beam passes well above the ground over Rockford, so light snow and drizzle near the surface can be missed. Use the loop to judge storm direction and speed. Lean on NWS Chicago warnings for what is happening at ground level.
When should you check the Rockford radar?
Severe storm season
May to JulyAbout 58% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Check the loop before heading to Rock Cut State Park or onto I-39 on a humid afternoon.
Snow season
November 20 to April 1These are Rockford's normal first and last dates of measurable snow under 1991 to 2020 normals. Early and late season bands can be narrow, so compare the loop with the hourly forecast before driving I-90.
What else do people ask about the Rockford radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Rockford?
NWS Chicago (LOT) issues forecasts and warnings for Rockford. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KMKX, about 55 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Chicago and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KMKX (Milwaukee NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Chicago (LOT)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KMKX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Chicago (LOT)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Chicago office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Chicago: September 14, 1928 severe weather and Rockford tornado
- NWS Chicago: Rockford climate records and rankings
- NWS Chicago: Record cold of January 2019
- NWS Chicago: August 7, 2007 heavy rain and flash flooding
- NWS Chicago: Snow climatology
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 annual normals, Rockford airport