Simpson, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Simpson, Johnson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Simpson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 86 days in the Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County — the most common reported hazard around Simpson, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (74 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 86 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 74 | May 2025 | Jan 29, 2008 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Feb 2022 | Apr 29, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2024 | Jul 7, 2016 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2025 | Jan 5, 2025 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Feb 2009 | Sep 14, 2008 · $1.5 million 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 Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Simpson get?
A normal year brings about 7.2 inches of snow to Simpson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dixon Springs Agric Ctr weather station 5.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 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 Simpson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 28 miles south. 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 Simpson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 28 mi south | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 79 mi northeast | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 96 mi east-southeast | 9,000 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 Simpson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Simpson, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 29, 1982, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 20, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles west of town.
Hail: 164 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 26, 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 Simpson'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.
Simpson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Simpson, IL?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 28 miles south. KVWX (Evansville, IN) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Simpson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Simpson the lowest scan from KPAH is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Simpson 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 Simpson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Vienna, IL radar 8 mi
- Goreville, IL radar 13 mi
- Carrier Mills, IL radar 17 mi
- Marion, IL radar 21 mi
- Harrisburg, IL radar 22 mi
- Metropolis, IL radar 22 mi
- Crainville, IL radar 26 mi
- Johnston City, IL radar 26 mi
- Anna, IL radar 26 mi
- Carterville, IL radar 27 mi