Oconee, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Oconee, Shelby County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Oconee?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 98 days in the Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County — the most common reported hazard around Oconee, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (50 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 98 | Jun 2026 | Aug 16, 2012 · $3.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 50 | Jun 2026 | Mar 31, 2022 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Jan 2026 | Dec 1, 2006 · $700,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 12 | Jun 2025 | Apr 2, 2016 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Jun 2026 | Dec 27, 2015 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2026 | Jan 15, 2013 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | May 2013 | May 26, 2013 · 1 death |
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 Shelby forecast zone and Shelby County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Oconee get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Oconee, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pana weather station 5.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 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 Oconee?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 61 miles north-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 Oconee | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 61 mi north-northwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 94 mi west-southwest | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 103 mi southeast | 10,000 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 Oconee
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Oconee, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 5, 1958, which passed about 22 miles south of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 6, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 176 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 28, 2011.
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 Oconee'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.
Oconee radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Oconee, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 61 miles north-northwest. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Oconee?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Oconee the lowest scan from KILX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Oconee 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 Oconee, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pana, IL radar 8 mi
- Nokomis, IL radar 10 mi
- Assumption, IL radar 16 mi
- Shelbyville, IL radar 19 mi
- Hillsboro, IL radar 21 mi
- Vandalia, IL radar 22 mi
- Taylorville, IL radar 22 mi
- St. Elmo, IL radar 23 mi
- Moweaqua, IL radar 24 mi
- Altamont, IL radar 25 mi