Ionia, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ionia, Benton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ionia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 100 days in the Benton forecast zone and Benton County — the most common reported hazard around Ionia, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (75 days) and flooding (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | Apr 2026 | Jul 5, 2004 · 1 death · $350,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 75 | May 2026 | Jul 21, 1996 · 2 deaths · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Apr 2026 | Jul 26, 1998 · $27,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 2021 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2019 | Jan 12, 2007 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2025 | Mar 14, 2025 · $8,000 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 Benton forecast zone and Benton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ionia get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Ionia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cole Camp 3Nw weather station 3.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 4.8 | 6.2 | 3.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ionia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 55 miles west-northwest. 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 Ionia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 55 mi west-northwest | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 88 mi south | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 143 mi east | 16,900 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 Ionia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 86 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ionia, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 19, 1973, which passed about 11 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2025, which passed about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 334 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 11, 1978.
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 Ionia'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.
Ionia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ionia, MO?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 55 miles west-northwest. KSGF (Springfield, MO) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ionia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ionia the lowest scan from KEAX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ionia 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 Ionia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cole Camp, MO radar 7 mi
- Lincoln, MO radar 8 mi
- Windsor, MO radar 11 mi
- Sedalia, MO radar 15 mi
- Warsaw, MO radar 18 mi
- Stover, MO radar 19 mi
- La Monte, MO radar 19 mi
- Knob Noster, MO radar 22 mi
- Clinton, MO radar 26 mi
- Versailles, MO radar 26 mi