Kelso, MO Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Kelso, Scott County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for KelsoWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Kelso?

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 Kelso, mostly in May and July. Next come excessive heat (96 days) and flooding (58 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds106Mar 2025Jun 4, 2012 · $600,000 damage
Excessive heat96Aug 2025—
Flooding58Feb 2025Jul 1, 2019 · $2.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms42Jan 2026Jan 26, 2009 · $22 million damage
Flash flooding22May 2024May 26, 2016 · $50,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill19Jan 2026—
Ice storms & sleet9Jan 2026Feb 21, 2013 · $50,000 damage
High winds9Mar 2025Sep 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.

How much snow does Kelso get?

A normal year brings about 7.5 inches of snow to Kelso, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jackson weather station 14.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (2.4 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.10.12.42.21.21.50.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Kelso?

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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over KelsoView
KPAH
Paducah, KY		44 mi east3,000 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KLSX
St. Louis, MO		121 mi north-northwest12,900 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KVWX
Evansville, IN		124 mi northeast13,400 ftLimited — 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 Kelso

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 150 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kelso, 41 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 22, 1981, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 7, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 236 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 16, 2025.

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 Kelso'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.

Kelso radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Kelso, MO?

KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 44 miles east. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Kelso?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kelso the lowest scan from KPAH is about 3,000 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Kelso 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 Kelso, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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