What should you know about Springfield's weather?
- NWS office
- Central Illinois (ILX)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 595 ft
- Coordinates
- 39.80° N, 89.64° W
- Nearest radar
- KILX · Lincoln NEXRAD · 29 mi
- County
- Sangamon County, IL
- Yearly rain
- 38 in
- Warmest month
- July · 76.5°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 27.9°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Apr to Jun
How much rain does Springfield get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 35.9 | 41.1 | 53.1 | 65.6 | 75.7 | 84.0 | 86.8 | 85.4 | 80.2 | 67.4 | 52.7 | 40.7 |
| Low °F | 19.9 | 23.7 | 33.2 | 43.3 | 54.4 | 63.3 | 66.2 | 64.3 | 55.8 | 44.6 | 34.2 | 25.2 |
| Rain (in) | 2.03 | 1.93 | 2.76 | 3.97 | 4.52 | 4.61 | 3.85 | 3.37 | 2.88 | 3.26 | 2.71 | 2.15 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35.9 | 19.9 | 2.03 |
| Feb | 41.1 | 23.7 | 1.93 |
| Mar | 53.1 | 33.2 | 2.76 |
| Apr | 65.6 | 43.3 | 3.97 |
| May | 75.7 | 54.4 | 4.52 |
| Jun | 84.0 | 63.3 | 4.61 |
| Jul | 86.8 | 66.2 | 3.85 |
| Aug | 85.4 | 64.3 | 3.37 |
| Sep | 80.2 | 55.8 | 2.88 |
| Oct | 67.4 | 44.6 | 3.26 |
| Nov | 52.7 | 34.2 | 2.71 |
| Dec | 40.7 | 25.2 | 2.15 |
SPRINGFIELD CAPITAL AP, IL US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What did the 2006 tornado storm look like on Springfield IL weather radar?
It showed up as a single, unusually long-tracked supercell. The storm formed in northeast Oklahoma around midday on March 12, 2006, crossed Kansas and Missouri and reached Illinois in the mid to late evening. The first of its tornadoes to affect Springfield had a track of about 66 miles. NWS Central Illinois issued tornado warnings for 24 counties during the event.
Which parts of Springfield did the 2006 tornadoes hit?
Two F2 tornadoes crossed the city between 8:20 and 8:30 PM on March 12, 2006. The first entered near Cockrell Lane and Constitution Drive, then widened to just over half a mile from Westchester Boulevard to Jerome, with F2 damage along Wabash Avenue. It ended just north of 9th Street and South Grand Avenue after about 6 minutes in the city, with winds near 120 mph. The second crossed I-55 at the Clear Lake Avenue interchange and overturned a semi truck. Their path was nearly identical to the June 14, 1957 F4 tornado that killed 2 people and injured 50.
How often do tornadoes touch down in Sangamon County?
NWS Central Illinois lists 93 tornadoes in Sangamon County from 1950 through 2025. Only three weeks after the March 2006 storm, two F1 tornadoes were logged at Springfield on April 2, 2006. On August 19, 2009, an EF3 tornado near Williamsville injured 17 people. The same afternoon, an EF1 was logged at Lake Springfield.
How much snow does Springfield get?
Springfield averages 21.8 inches of snow a year under 1991 to 2020 normals. The snowiest winter on record was 1977-78, with 52.1 inches. The most snow in 24 hours was 17.4 inches on March 24 to 25, 2013. Radar shows where snow is falling but not how deep it gets, so check the forecast totals too.
How hot and cold has Springfield been?
Springfield's record high is 112°F, set on July 14, 1954. The record low is -24°F, set on February 13, 1905. In a normal July, highs average 86.8°F. Radar cannot show heat or cold, so use the hourly forecast on extreme days.
When should you check the Springfield radar?
Severe storm season
April to JuneAbout 64% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from April to June. Check the loop before a Washington Park run or an evening drive on I-72.
First frost and freeze
October 9 to October 30These are Springfield's normal dates for first frost (36°F or lower) and first hard freeze (28°F or lower). Radar stays quiet on those clear, calm nights, so check the hourly low before covering garden beds.
What else do people ask about the Springfield radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Springfield?
NWS Central Illinois (ILX) issues forecasts and warnings for Springfield. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KILX, about 29 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 Central Illinois and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KILX (Lincoln NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Central Illinois (ILX)
- Severe storms peak from April to June (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KILX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Central Illinois (ILX)
- Severe storms: April to June
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Central Illinois office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: SPRINGFIELD CAPITAL 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 Central Illinois: March 12, 2006 tornado overview
- NWS Central Illinois: March 12, 2006 Springfield tornadoes
- NWS Central Illinois: Sangamon County tornadoes since 1950
- NWS Central Illinois: Springfield seasonal and miscellaneous snow records
- NWS Central Illinois: Springfield frost and freeze normals
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 annual normals, Springfield airport