Plato, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plato, Texas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plato?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 106 days in the Texas forecast zone and Texas County — the most common reported hazard around Plato, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (63 days) and flooding (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 106 | Sep 2025 | May 8, 2009 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 63 | Jul 2025 | Apr 30, 2017 · $8.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 53 | Apr 2026 | Mar 3, 2008 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2025 | Nov 24, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Mar 2019 | Apr 29, 2017 · $70,000 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 Texas forecast zone and Texas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Plato?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 67 miles west-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 Plato | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 67 mi west-southwest | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 118 mi northeast | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 143 mi northwest | 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 Plato
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plato, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on March 25, 1954, which passed about 8 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 280 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 27, 2020.
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 Plato'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.
Plato radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plato, MO?
KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 67 miles west-southwest. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plato?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plato the lowest scan from KSGF is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plato 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 Plato, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Houston, MO radar 19 mi
- Licking, MO radar 20 mi
- Waynesville, MO radar 22 mi
- St. Robert, MO radar 23 mi
- Mountain Grove, MO radar 26 mi
- Cabool, MO radar 27 mi
- Richland, MO radar 27 mi
- Lebanon, MO radar 27 mi
- Mansfield, MO radar 34 mi
- Dixon, MO radar 35 mi