Fairbanks, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairbanks, Sullivan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairbanks?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 80 days in the Sullivan forecast zone and Sullivan County — the most common reported hazard around Fairbanks, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (57 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 80 | Oct 2016 | Jun 2, 2008 · $30 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 2026 · $125,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jun 2026 | May 6, 2002 · $150,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2026 | Mar 15, 2026 · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Feb 2011 | — |
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 Sullivan forecast zone and Sullivan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairbanks get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Fairbanks, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Farmersburg Tv-2 weather station 7.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.5 | 3.9 | 5.3 | 3.6 | 1.7 | 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 Fairbanks?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 67 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 Fairbanks | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 67 mi south | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 74 mi east-northeast | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 116 mi northwest | 12,100 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 Fairbanks
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 57 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairbanks, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF3 on March 31, 2023, which passed about 11 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on December 28, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 173 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 16, 2025.
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 Fairbanks'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.
Fairbanks radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairbanks, IN?
KVWX (Evansville, IN), about 67 miles south. KIND (Indianapolis, IN) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairbanks?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairbanks the lowest scan from KVWX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Shelburn, IN radar 7 mi
- Farmersburg, IN radar 8 mi
- Sullivan, IN radar 10 mi
- West Terre Haute, IN radar 17 mi
- Jasonville, IN radar 18 mi
- Terre Haute, IN radar 19 mi
- Linton, IN radar 23 mi
- Seelyville, IN radar 23 mi
- Worthington, IN radar 30 mi
- Brazil, IN radar 30 mi