Lerna, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lerna, Coles County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lerna?
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 Lerna, 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 Lerna get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Lerna, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mattoon weather station 5.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 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 Lerna?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 75 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 Lerna | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 75 mi northwest | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 86 mi south-southeast | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 109 mi east | 10,900 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 Lerna
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lerna, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F3 on August 21, 1977, which passed about 8 miles south-southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 20, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 167 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 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 Lerna'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.
Lerna radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lerna, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 75 miles northwest. KVWX (Evansville, IN) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lerna?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lerna the lowest scan from KILX is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lerna 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 Lerna, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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