Essex, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Essex, Stoddard County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Essex?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 112 days in the Stoddard forecast zone and Stoddard County — the most common reported hazard around Essex, mostly in July and May. Next come excessive heat (97 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 112 | Mar 2025 | Apr 2, 2006 · 1 death · $400,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 97 | Aug 2025 | Jun 22, 2009 · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Jan 26, 2009 · 1 death · $20 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | May 2024 | Apr 26, 2011 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 24 | Apr 2026 | Dec 24, 2009 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Dec 2012 | Sep 14, 2008 · $12 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2013 | Feb 21, 2013 · $100,000 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 Stoddard forecast zone and Stoddard County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Essex get?
A normal year brings about 3.1 inches of snow to Essex, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sikeston Pwr Stn weather station 14 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (1.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 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 Essex?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 63 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 Essex | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 63 mi east-northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 101 mi south | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 138 mi north-northwest | 15,900 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 Essex
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 122 tornadoes within 25 miles of Essex, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 22, 1981, which passed about 4 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF3 on May 16, 2025, which passed about 12 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 157 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 3, 1997.
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 Essex'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.
Essex radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Essex, MO?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 63 miles east-northeast. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Essex?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Essex the lowest scan from KPAH is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Essex 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 Essex, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dexter, MO radar 6 mi
- Bloomfield, MO radar 6 mi
- Bernie, MO radar 11 mi
- Sikeston, MO radar 16 mi
- Malden, MO radar 16 mi
- Advance, MO radar 20 mi
- Oran, MO radar 22 mi
- New Madrid, MO radar 23 mi
- Campbell, MO radar 25 mi
- East Prairie, MO radar 27 mi