Poplar Bluff, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Poplar Bluff, Butler County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Poplar Bluff?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 121 days in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County — the most common reported hazard around Poplar Bluff, mostly in May and June. Next come excessive heat (101 days) and flash flooding (57 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 121 | Apr 2026 | May 8, 2009 · 2 deaths · $45,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 101 | Aug 2025 | Jul 18, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 57 | Jun 2024 | Apr 3, 2015 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 52 | Jul 2025 | Oct 30, 2009 · 3 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Dec 15, 2008 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2013 | Feb 21, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Mar 2025 | Sep 14, 2008 · $14 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 Butler forecast zone and Butler County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Poplar Bluff get?
A normal year brings about 5.4 inches of snow to Poplar Bluff, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Poplar Bluff weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (1.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 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 Poplar Bluff?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 93 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 Poplar Bluff | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPAH Paducah, KY | 93 mi east-northeast | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 103 mi south-southeast | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 135 mi north | 15,300 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 Poplar Bluff
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Poplar Bluff, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F4 on April 22, 1981, which passed about 11 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles west of town.
Hail: 204 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 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 Poplar Bluff'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.
Poplar Bluff radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Poplar Bluff, MO?
KPAH (Paducah, KY), about 93 miles east-northeast. KNQA (Memphis, TN) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Poplar Bluff?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Poplar Bluff the lowest scan from KPAH is about 8,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Poplar Bluff 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 Poplar Bluff, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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