Panama, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Panama, Montgomery County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Panama?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 93 days in the Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County — the most common reported hazard around Panama, mostly in May and June. Next come excessive heat (47 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 93 | May 2026 | Jun 17, 2022 · $30,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 47 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Apr 2026 | Jun 3, 2008 · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Nov 2019 | Dec 9, 2009 · $1,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2008 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jul 2002 | May 3, 1996 · $80,000 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 Montgomery forecast zone and Montgomery County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Panama get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Panama, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Olive 1 E weather station 10 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.7 | 2.9 | 5.7 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 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 Panama?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 66 miles west-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 Panama | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 66 mi west-southwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 78 mi north | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 111 mi east-southeast | 11,200 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 Panama
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Panama, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on December 2, 1950, which passed about 12 miles south-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 6, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 211 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 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 Panama'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.
Panama radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Panama, IL?
KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 66 miles west-southwest. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Panama?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Panama the lowest scan from KLSX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Panama 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 Panama, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Gillespie, IL radar 17 mi
- Worden, IL radar 18 mi
- Highland, IL radar 20 mi
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