West Salem, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West Salem, Edwards County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West Salem?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 74 days in the Edwards forecast zone and Edwards County — the most common reported hazard around West Salem, mostly in July and August. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (49 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 74 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 49 | Aug 2025 | Apr 19, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Feb 14, 2010 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Aug 2023 | Apr 28, 1996 · $90,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Nov 2019 | May 1, 2011 · $30,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Feb 2009 | Sep 14, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 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 Edwards forecast zone and Edwards County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does West Salem get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to West Salem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Olney 2S weather station 13.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 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 West Salem?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 24 miles 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 West Salem | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 24 mi southeast | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 109 mi south-southwest | 10,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 118 mi east-southeast | 12,400 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 West Salem
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Salem, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 2, 1990, which passed about 11 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on July 9, 2024, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 160 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 19, 1996.
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 West Salem'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.
West Salem radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West Salem, IL?
KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 24 miles southeast. KPAH (Paducah, KY) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in West Salem?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West Salem the lowest scan from KVWX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for West Salem 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 West Salem, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Albion, IL radar 10 mi
- Mount Carmel, IL radar 15 mi
- Olney, IL radar 15 mi
- Sumner, IL radar 16 mi
- Grayville, IL radar 18 mi
- Bridgeport, IL radar 19 mi
- Fairfield, IL radar 22 mi
- Lawrenceville, IL radar 22 mi
- Flora, IL radar 27 mi
- Carmi, IL radar 31 mi