Vandalia, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vandalia, Audrain County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vandalia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Audrain forecast zone and Audrain County — the most common reported hazard around Vandalia, mostly in June and May. Next come excessive heat (49 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 81 | May 2026 | Jun 25, 2024 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 49 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Jul 2025 | Jul 21, 2025 · $60,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Jun 2013 | Jun 1, 2013 · $2,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2019 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2002 | — |
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 Audrain forecast zone and Audrain County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Vandalia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 60 miles southeast. 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 Vandalia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 60 mi southeast | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 128 mi east-northeast | 14,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 153 mi west-southwest | 18,700 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 Vandalia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 67 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vandalia, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F3 on March 13, 2006, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles west of town.
Hail: 181 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 19, 1956.
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 Vandalia'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.
Vandalia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vandalia, MO?
KLSX (St. Louis, MO), about 60 miles southeast. KILX (Lincoln, IL) is 128 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vandalia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vandalia the lowest scan from KLSX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Vandalia 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 Vandalia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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