Raleigh, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Raleigh, Saline County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Raleigh?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Saline forecast zone and Saline County — the most common reported hazard around Raleigh, mostly in May and July. Next come excessive heat (83 days) and flash flooding (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Sep 2025 | May 8, 2009 · $4.5 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 83 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 41 | Jul 2025 | Apr 28, 1996 · $1.6 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 19 | May 2025 | May 1, 2017 · 1 death · $30,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2025 | Jan 5, 2025 · 1 death · $205,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2009 | Sep 14, 2008 · $500,000 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 Saline forecast zone and Saline County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Raleigh?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 53 miles northeast. 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 Raleigh | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 53 mi northeast | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 54 mi south-southwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 102 mi southeast | 9,900 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 Raleigh
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 75 tornadoes within 25 miles of Raleigh, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 29, 1982, which passed about 18 miles west-southwest of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF4 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 18 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 139 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on August 6, 2019.
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 Raleigh'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.
Raleigh radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Raleigh, IL?
KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 53 miles northeast. KPAH (Paducah, KY) is 54 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Raleigh?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Raleigh the lowest scan from KVWX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Raleigh 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 Raleigh, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eldorado, IL radar 5 mi
- Harrisburg, IL radar 6 mi
- Carrier Mills, IL radar 11 mi
- Norris City, IL radar 15 mi
- McLeansboro, IL radar 18 mi
- Johnston City, IL radar 22 mi
- West Frankfort, IL radar 22 mi
- Marion, IL radar 23 mi
- Benton, IL radar 25 mi
- Carmi, IL radar 27 mi