Petroleum, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Petroleum, Wells County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Petroleum?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 71 days in the Wells forecast zone and Wells County — the most common reported hazard around Petroleum, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (34 days) and high winds (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 71 | Jun 2026 | Nov 6, 2005 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Jan 2026 | Dec 13, 2013 · 1 death |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2019 | Jul 22, 1998 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2008 | Feb 24, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jun 2008 | Jun 9, 2008 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 2 | Jun 2015 | Jul 5, 2003 · 1 death · $4.5 million 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 Wells forecast zone and Wells County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Petroleum get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Petroleum, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Berne Wwtp weather station 12.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.4 | 5.1 | 8.4 | 7.7 | 4.6 | 0.5 | 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 Petroleum?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 59 miles north-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 Petroleum | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 59 mi north-northwest | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 86 mi southwest | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 108 mi southeast | 10,900 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 Petroleum
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Petroleum, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 18 miles west-southwest of town and caused 25 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 207 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 April 9, 2001.
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 Petroleum'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.
Petroleum radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Petroleum, IN?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 59 miles north-northwest. KIND (Indianapolis, IN) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Petroleum?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Petroleum the lowest scan from KIWX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Petroleum 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 Petroleum, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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