Island, KY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Island, McLean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Island?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous heat on 74 days in the McLean forecast zone and McLean County — the most common reported hazard around Island, mostly in July and August. Next come flooding (58 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive heat | 74 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 58 | Mar 2025 | Mar 1, 1997 · $4.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Jan 2026 | Feb 11, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 41 | Apr 2026 | Feb 27, 2009 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Feb 2025 | Mar 1, 1997 · $800,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2025 | Jan 26, 2009 · $11 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2023 | Sep 14, 2008 · $7.7 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 McLean forecast zone and McLean County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Island get?
A normal year brings about 4.3 inches of snow to Island, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Calhoun Lock 2 weather station 9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (1.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 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 Island?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KHPX (Fort Campbell, KY), about 49 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 Island | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KHPX Fort Campbell, KY | 49 mi south | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVWX Evansville, IN | 65 mi north-northwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLVX Louisville, KY | 75 mi east-northeast | 6,300 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 Island
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 81 tornadoes within 25 miles of Island, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF4 on December 10, 2021, which passed about 7 miles south-southeast of town and caused 57 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 7, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles north of town.
Hail: 218 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 25, 2006.
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 Island'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.
Island radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Island, KY?
KHPX (Fort Campbell, KY), about 49 miles south. KVWX (Evansville, IN) is 65 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Island?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Island the lowest scan from KHPX is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Island 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 Island, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Livermore, KY radar 3 mi
- Central City, KY radar 10 mi
- Hartford, KY radar 14 mi
- Beaver Dam, KY radar 15 mi
- Greenville, KY radar 16 mi
- Madisonville, KY radar 21 mi
- Owensboro, KY radar 22 mi
- Sebree, KY radar 23 mi
- Earlington, KY radar 23 mi
- Morgantown, KY radar 29 mi