Benton, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benton, Scott County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 106 days in the Scott forecast zone and Scott County — the most common reported hazard around Benton, mostly in May and July. Next come excessive heat (96 days) and flooding (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 106 | Mar 2025 | Jun 4, 2012 · $600,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 96 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 58 | Feb 2025 | Jul 1, 2019 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2026 | Jan 26, 2009 · $22 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | May 2024 | May 26, 2016 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2026 | Feb 21, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2025 | Sep 14, 2008 · $13 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 Scott forecast zone and Scott County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Benton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 44 miles east. 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 Benton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 44 mi east | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 122 mi south | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 126 mi north-northwest | 13,800 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 Benton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 156 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benton, 42 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 22, 1981, which passed about 17 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 7, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles north of town.
Hail: 227 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 30, 2009.
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 Benton'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.
Benton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benton, MO?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 44 miles east. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benton the lowest scan from KPAH is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benton 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 Benton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Oran, MO radar 5 mi
- Chaffee, MO radar 8 mi
- Scott City, MO radar 9 mi
- Cape Girardeau, MO radar 15 mi
- Sikeston, MO radar 15 mi
- Charleston, MO radar 18 mi
- Advance, MO radar 19 mi
- Jackson, MO radar 20 mi
- East Prairie, MO radar 24 mi
- Bloomfield, MO radar 25 mi