Napoleon, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Napoleon, Ripley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Napoleon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 125 days in the Ripley forecast zone and Ripley County — the most common reported hazard around Napoleon, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (62 days) and flash flooding (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 125 | Jun 2026 | Mar 28, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 62 | Jun 2026 | Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 55 | Jun 2026 | Jul 31, 2000 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Jan 2026 | Jan 6, 1996 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Mar 2026 | Sep 14, 2008 · 1 death · $3.3 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Nov 2018 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 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 Ripley forecast zone and Ripley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Napoleon get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Napoleon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Greensburg weather station 13.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 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 Napoleon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 62 miles northwest. 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 Napoleon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 62 mi northwest | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 82 mi east | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 91 mi south-southwest | 8,400 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 Napoleon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of Napoleon, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 11 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 162 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 25, 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 Napoleon'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.
Napoleon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Napoleon, IN?
KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 62 miles northwest. KILN (Wilmington, OH) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Napoleon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Napoleon the lowest scan from KIND is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Napoleon 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 Napoleon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Osgood, IN radar 6 mi
- Batesville, IN radar 9 mi
- Versailles, IN radar 10 mi
- Milan, IN radar 12 mi
- Westport, IN radar 13 mi
- Greensburg, IN radar 14 mi
- Dillsboro, IN radar 20 mi
- North Vernon, IN radar 21 mi
- Brookville, IN radar 23 mi
- Hope, IN radar 24 mi