Smithboro, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Smithboro, Bond County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Smithboro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 66 days in the Bond forecast zone and Bond County — the most common reported hazard around Smithboro, mostly in June and May. Next come excessive heat (45 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jan 2026 | Jun 29, 2023 · $30,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 45 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2025 | Jul 20, 2025 · $30,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2002 | Sep 26, 1996 · $25,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jun 2007 | May 2, 2004 · $25,000 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 Bond forecast zone and Bond County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Smithboro get?
A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Smithboro, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Greenville weather station 4.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 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 Smithboro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 74 miles west. 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 Smithboro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 74 mi west | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 87 mi north | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 98 mi east-southeast | 9,300 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 Smithboro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Smithboro, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on February 24, 1956, which passed about 21 miles south-southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 6, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 164 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 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 Smithboro'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.
Smithboro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Smithboro, IL?
KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 74 miles west. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Smithboro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Smithboro the lowest scan from KLSX is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Smithboro 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 Smithboro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Vandalia, IL radar 14 mi
- Carlyle, IL radar 19 mi
- Highland, IL radar 21 mi
- Hillsboro, IL radar 21 mi
- Breese, IL radar 22 mi
- Sandoval, IL radar 23 mi
- Aviston, IL radar 24 mi
- Mount Olive, IL radar 24 mi
- Staunton, IL radar 26 mi