Smithfield, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Smithfield, Fulton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Smithfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 139 days in the Fulton forecast zone and Fulton County — the most common reported hazard around Smithfield, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 139 | Jun 2026 | Jun 1, 2010 · $225,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 39 | Jun 2026 | Apr 17, 2013 · $12 million damage |
| Flooding | 17 | Jun 2026 | May 16, 2009 · 1 death · $4.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2025 | Mar 24, 2009 · $2,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2021 | Dec 18, 2008 · $100,000 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 Fulton forecast zone and Fulton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Smithfield get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Smithfield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Prairie City 2S weather station 12 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.1 | 5.0 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 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 Smithfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 55 miles east-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 Smithfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 55 mi east-southeast | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 80 mi north | 6,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 124 mi south | 13,500 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 Smithfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Smithfield, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 13, 1995, which passed about 7 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 260 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 12, 1998.
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 Smithfield'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.
Smithfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Smithfield, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 55 miles east-southeast. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 80 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Smithfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Smithfield the lowest scan from KILX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Smithfield 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 Smithfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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