West Plains, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West Plains, Howell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West Plains?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 162 days in the Howell forecast zone and Howell County — the most common reported hazard around West Plains, mostly in July and May. Next come flash flooding (105 days) and flooding (69 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 162 | Apr 2026 | May 8, 2009 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 105 | Jun 2026 | Apr 4, 2025 · 2 deaths · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 69 | May 2026 | May 8, 2002 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · $250,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2012 | Jul 18, 2011 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2025 | Jan 26, 2009 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Mar 2020 | Apr 23, 2013 · 1 death |
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 Howell forecast zone and Howell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does West Plains get?
A normal year brings about 8.7 inches of snow to West Plains, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the W Plains weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (2.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 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 West Plains?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 91 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 West Plains | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 91 mi west-northwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 133 mi south | 15,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KNQA Memphis, TN | 147 mi southeast | 17,600 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 West Plains
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 75 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Plains, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 2, 1982, which crossed near town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 263 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 19, 2011.
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 West Plains'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.
West Plains radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West Plains, MO?
KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 91 miles west-northwest. KLZK (Little Rock, AR) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in West Plains?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West Plains the lowest scan from KSGF is about 8,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for West Plains 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 West Plains, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Willow Springs, MO radar 18 mi
- Mountain View, MO radar 20 mi
- Thayer, MO radar 23 mi
- Cabool, MO radar 30 mi
- Mountain Grove, MO radar 35 mi
- Houston, MO radar 41 mi
- Ava, MO radar 47 mi
- Mansfield, MO radar 47 mi
- Licking, MO radar 53 mi
- Seymour, MO radar 57 mi