Centralia, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Centralia, Marion County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Centralia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 105 days in the Marion forecast zone and Marion County — the most common reported hazard around Centralia, mostly in June and May. Next come excessive heat (49 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 105 | Jun 2026 | May 27, 1996 · $250,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 49 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Jun 2026 | Dec 26, 2015 · 5 deaths |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Feb 2014 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 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 Marion forecast zone and Marion County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Centralia get?
A normal year brings about 6.5 inches of snow to Centralia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Centralia weather station 2.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 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 Centralia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 78 miles east-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 Centralia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 78 mi east-southeast | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 85 mi west | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 102 mi south | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Centralia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of Centralia, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on February 24, 1956, which passed about 22 miles west-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on April 30, 2025, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 195 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 28, 2012.
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 Centralia'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.
Centralia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Centralia, IL?
KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 78 miles east-southeast. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Centralia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Centralia 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 Centralia 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 Centralia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Carlyle, IL radar 15 mi
- Nashville, IL radar 18 mi
- Mount Vernon, IL radar 18 mi
- Breese, IL radar 23 mi
- Germantown, IL radar 23 mi
- Okawville, IL radar 24 mi
- Albers, IL radar 27 mi