Metropolis, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Metropolis, Massac County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Metropolis?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 106 days in the Massac forecast zone and Massac County — the most common reported hazard around Metropolis, mostly in February and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (96 days) and excessive heat (84 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 106 | May 2025 | May 1, 2011 · $2.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | May 2025 | Mar 1, 2017 · $400,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 84 | Aug 2025 | Jul 18, 1999 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | Jan 26, 2009 · $11 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2023 | Jul 19, 2023 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2025 | Jan 5, 2025 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Dec 2012 | Sep 14, 2008 · $9.2 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 Massac forecast zone and Massac County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Metropolis get?
A normal year brings about 3.1 inches of snow to Metropolis, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brookport Dam 52 weather station 2.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 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 Metropolis?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 7 miles southwest. 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 Metropolis | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 7 mi southwest | 400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 83 mi east-southeast | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 93 mi northeast | 8,600 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 Metropolis
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Metropolis, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 2003, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 23 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 207 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 16, 2025.
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 Metropolis'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.
Metropolis radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Metropolis, IL?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 7 miles southwest. KHPX (Fort Campbell, KY) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Metropolis?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Metropolis the lowest scan from KPAH is about 400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Metropolis 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 Metropolis, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Vienna, IL radar 21 mi
- Cairo, IL radar 29 mi
- Goreville, IL radar 32 mi
- Anna, IL radar 37 mi
- Carrier Mills, IL radar 37 mi
- Jonesboro, IL radar 38 mi
- Cobden, IL radar 41 mi
- Harrisburg, IL radar 41 mi
- Marion, IL radar 43 mi
- Crainville, IL radar 46 mi