Ethel, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ethel, Macon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ethel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 63 days in the Macon forecast zone and Macon County — the most common reported hazard around Ethel, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (26 days) and flash flooding (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | Aug 2025 | Aug 10, 2006 · $40,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | Aug 6, 2007 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2019 | Jan 30, 2002 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Jul 2020 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Nov 2018 | — |
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 Macon forecast zone and Macon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Ethel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 111 miles southwest. 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 Ethel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 111 mi southwest | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 137 mi north-northwest | 15,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 138 mi southeast | 15,800 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 Ethel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 47 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ethel, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 23, 1975, which passed about 15 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 27, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 197 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 23, 1975.
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 Ethel'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.
Ethel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ethel, MO?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 111 miles southwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ethel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ethel the lowest scan from KEAX is about 11,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ethel 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 Ethel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- La Plata, MO radar 16 mi
- Marceline, MO radar 16 mi
- Macon, MO radar 18 mi
- Brookfield, MO radar 19 mi
- Kirksville, MO radar 23 mi
- Milan, MO radar 29 mi
- Salisbury, MO radar 33 mi
- Huntsville, MO radar 33 mi
- Edina, MO radar 36 mi
- Moberly, MO radar 37 mi