Plainfield, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plainfield, Hendricks County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plainfield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 127 days in the Hendricks forecast zone and Hendricks County — the most common reported hazard around Plainfield, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (37 days) and flooding (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 127 | Jun 2026 | Jul 27, 2020 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 23 | Jun 2019 | Jan 21, 1999 · $63,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Apr 2025 | Jun 7, 2008 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Jul 2023 | Jul 8, 2023 · $150,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Sep 2024 | Apr 5, 2023 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Aug 2023 | — |
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 Hendricks forecast zone and Hendricks County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plainfield get?
A normal year brings about 26 inches of snow to Plainfield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Indianapolis weather station 5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.8 | 6.4 | 8.8 | 6.0 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 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 Plainfield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 5 miles east-northeast. 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 Plainfield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 5 mi east-northeast | 200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 120 mi north-northeast | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 121 mi south | 12,900 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 Plainfield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 142 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plainfield, 45 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 14, 1972, which passed about 16 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 10 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 569 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on June 18, 2021.
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 Plainfield'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.
Plainfield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plainfield, IN?
KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 5 miles east-northeast. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plainfield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plainfield the lowest scan from KIND is about 200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plainfield 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 Plainfield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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