Altamont, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Altamont, Effingham County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Altamont?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 105 days in the Effingham forecast zone and Effingham County — the most common reported hazard around Altamont, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (56 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 105 | Jun 2026 | Jul 19, 2020 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 56 | Jun 2026 | Jun 8, 2015 · $75,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Dec 30, 1997 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 15 | Jan 2020 | Dec 27, 2015 · $300,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | Jul 13, 2015 · 1 death |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2026 | Jan 29, 2008 · $35,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2, 2011 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2014 | — |
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 Effingham forecast zone and Effingham County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Altamont get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Altamont, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Effingham 3Sw weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 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 Altamont?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 78 miles southeast. 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 Altamont | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 78 mi southeast | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 82 mi north-northwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 107 mi west-southwest | 10,700 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 Altamont
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Altamont, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on April 5, 1958, which passed about 21 miles west-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 6, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 137 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 10, 2001.
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 Altamont'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.
Altamont radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Altamont, IL?
KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 78 miles southeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Altamont?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Altamont the lowest scan from KVWX is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Altamont 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 Altamont, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- St. Elmo, IL radar 6 mi
- Effingham, IL radar 11 mi
- Teutopolis, IL radar 15 mi
- Vandalia, IL radar 20 mi
- Louisville, IL radar 24 mi
- Neoga, IL radar 24 mi
- Shelbyville, IL radar 25 mi
- Windsor, IL radar 28 mi
- Pana, IL radar 30 mi
- Flora, IL radar 31 mi