Payson, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Payson, Adams County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Payson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Adams forecast zone and Adams County — the most common reported hazard around Payson, mostly in June and July. Next come excessive heat (43 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 124 | Apr 2026 | Sep 18, 2022 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 43 | Aug 2023 | Jul 17, 2011 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 25 | May 2025 | Jun 18, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Jun 2013 | Jun 4, 2008 · $124,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Adams forecast zone and Adams County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Payson get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Payson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Payson weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (5.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 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 Payson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 83 miles south-southeast. 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 Payson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 83 mi south-southeast | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 104 mi east-northeast | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 129 mi north-northeast | 14,200 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 Payson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Payson, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 14, 1961, which passed about 2 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 20, 2025, which crossed near town.
Hail: 239 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 11, 2016.
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 Payson'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.
Payson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Payson, IL?
KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 83 miles south-southeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Payson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Payson the lowest scan from KLSX is about 7,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Payson 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 Payson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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