Mount Zion, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mount Zion, Macon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mount Zion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Macon forecast zone and Macon County — the most common reported hazard around Mount Zion, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 124 | Jun 2026 | Aug 12, 1999 · $2.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Mar 2026 | Aug 26, 2014 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Jan 2026 | Dec 1, 2006 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | Sep 2024 | Mar 25, 1996 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | May 2019 | Feb 26, 2009 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2024 | — |
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 Macon forecast zone and Macon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mount Zion get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Mount Zion, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Decatur Wtp weather station 4.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 5.9 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 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 Mount Zion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 35 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 Mount Zion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 35 mi northwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 122 mi southwest | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 122 mi south-southeast | 13,100 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 Mount Zion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 166 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mount Zion, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on March 20, 1976, which passed about 5 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on December 28, 2025, which crossed near town.
Hail: 210 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 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 Mount Zion'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.
Mount Zion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mount Zion, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 35 miles northwest. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mount Zion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mount Zion the lowest scan from KILX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mount Zion 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 Mount Zion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Long Creek, IL radar 2 mi
- Decatur, IL radar 6 mi
- Macon, IL radar 8 mi
- Harristown, IL radar 10 mi
- Forsyth, IL radar 11 mi
- Cerro Gordo, IL radar 11 mi
- Bethany, IL radar 12 mi
- Moweaqua, IL radar 13 mi
- Blue Mound, IL radar 14 mi
- Warrensburg, IL radar 14 mi