Alto Pass, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alto Pass, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alto Pass?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 88 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Alto Pass, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 88 | Aug 2025 | Jun 22, 2009 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Apr 2026 | May 8, 2009 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2026 | Dec 22, 2004 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Mar 2023 | Mar 18, 2008 · $1.3 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jul 2024 | Jun 16, 2019 · 1 death · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2025 | Jan 5, 2025 · $160,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Feb 2009 | Sep 14, 2008 · $1.5 million 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Alto Pass get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Alto Pass, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Anna 2 Nne weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.1 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 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 Alto Pass?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 46 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 Alto Pass | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 46 mi southeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 99 mi east-northeast | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 107 mi northwest | 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 Alto Pass
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 126 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alto Pass, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on December 18, 1957, which passed about 12 miles north-northwest of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 7, 2025, which passed about 19 miles west of town.
Hail: 277 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 30, 2023.
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 Alto Pass'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.
Alto Pass radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alto Pass, IL?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 46 miles southeast. KVWX (Evansville, IN) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alto Pass?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alto Pass the lowest scan from KPAH is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Alto Pass 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 Alto Pass, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cobden, IL radar 5 mi
- Jonesboro, IL radar 9 mi
- Anna, IL radar 9 mi
- Carbondale, IL radar 12 mi
- Murphysboro, IL radar 13 mi
- De Soto, IL radar 17 mi
- Cambria, IL radar 18 mi
- Carterville, IL radar 18 mi
- Crainville, IL radar 19 mi
- Goreville, IL radar 19 mi