Charleston, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Charleston, Coles County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Charleston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 118 days in the Coles forecast zone and Coles County — the most common reported hazard around Charleston, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (43 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 118 | Jun 2026 | Jan 29, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 43 | Jun 2026 | Jun 1, 1999 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Mar 11, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 19 | Mar 2026 | Sep 14, 2008 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jun 4, 2008 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2019 | Jun 10, 2018 · $100,000 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 Coles forecast zone and Coles County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Charleston get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Charleston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Charleston weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (8.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 8.1 | 5.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 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 Charleston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 77 miles northwest. 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 Charleston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 77 mi northwest | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 88 mi south-southeast | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 102 mi east | 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 Charleston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 91 tornadoes within 25 miles of Charleston, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F3 on August 21, 1977, which passed about 15 miles south-southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 172 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 7, 1998.
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 Charleston'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.
Charleston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Charleston, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 77 miles northwest. KVWX (Evansville, IN) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Charleston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Charleston the lowest scan from KILX is about 6,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Charleston 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 Charleston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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